RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — More than a year after disclosing he is gay, Clay Aiken is speaking before a gay-rights event in his hometown.Aiken will deliver a speech about gay rights this weekend at the Human Rights Campaign Carolinas gala in Raleigh, The News & Observer of Raleigh reported Wednesday. Actress Meredith Baxter, who recently said she is a lesbian, also will deliver a speech.The 31-year-old Raleigh native, pop singer and 2003 “American Idol” runner-up said he wrote his own speech after remarks provided for him proved too political, including a slam aimed at former President George W. Bush.——Contact The Daily Reveille’s news staff at [email protected]