LOS ANGELES, Calif. --

Clay Aiken has come out.

The “American Idol” star and new dad finally revealed his sexuality in the new issue of People, which features a portrait of Aiken and his son, Parker Foster Aiken, on the cover with the words, “Yes, I’m Gay.”

Although the new issue has yet to be released, when contacted by Access Hollywood, a rep for People confirmed the cover (which was leaked Tuesday on PerezHilton.com) is for their new issue.

His son, born August 8 to friend Jaymes Foster, seems to be the reason for his admission.

“I cannot raise a child to lie or hide things,” he told People.

Aiken, who’s currently starring on Broadway in “Spamalot,” has been dogged with rumors about his sexuality, though he has kept his private life under wraps up till now.

“I think for the most part, I really think that people don’t care, honestly,” he told Access Hollywood’s Billy Bush earlier this year during an interview for “The Billy Bush Show.” “People don’t want to have that type of stuff pushed, people who are living in Omaha or in Charlotte or wherever. They don’t want stuff like that pushed in their face.”

“I don’t think that’s necessary and that’s also not what I’m here for,” he added. “I mean I went on ‘Idol’ to be a singer, I went on ‘Idol’ to be an entertainer and that’s what my priority is.”

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