I now interrupt the usual PopWatch snarkfest for a moment of genuine sincerity: Huzzah to ‘N Sync singer Lance Bass for deciding to use his closet the way God intended (to hang clothes, naturally) and tell the world (or at least People magazine) that he’s gay — and in a ”very stable” relationship with Amazing Race champ Reichen Lehmkuhl. Woot! Yeah, I know we’re in a post-Will & Grace, post-Ellen, post-Elton era, but I think Bass’ decision is still a pretty brave one. Think about it: Even if Bass’ ‘N Sync fan base stands by their man (and hopefully they’re evolved enough to do so), should he decide to embark on a solo career, he’s bound to face an uphill battle as a young gay man trying to score radio play in the U.S. (see: Scissor Sisters.) And consider this: Just last week, one of my personal favorite divas, Jody Watley, was prohibited from discussing her performance at the Gay Games in an interview with Chicago radio station V103, a sad but telling (and pretty infuriating) statement on the current, healthy state of homophobia even in major metropolitan markets.
All career concerns aside, though, Bass did the right thing for himself, and yes, for the world at large. "The thing is, I’m not ashamed — that’s the one thing I want to say," Bass told People. "I don’t think it’s wrong, I’m not devastated going through this. I’m more liberated and happy than I’ve been my whole life. I’m just happy." And when you consider studies that show high suicide rates among gay teenagers, that’s a pretty groovy (and all too rare) message coming from the mouth of a household name. Now if you’ll excuse me, I gotta go dig Diana Ross’ ”I’m Coming Out” from the depths of my CD collection.
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That’s great…welcome to the family, Lance!!!
and with Reichen? you go, boy!
Good for him, I hope he is very, very happy. On a side note, I had no idea V103 was that homophobic, I say, there’s another reason why New York is so much cooler than Chicago.
You mean On The Line was fiction?!?!??!?!
Um.. that’s old news but…
SO HAPPY FOR HIM!
You GO Lance!!
like Paul said, Welcome to the family!
Forget the tired “I’m Coming Out,” where’s my copy of “It’s Gonna Be Me,” because who knew it was Gonna Be Lance! To be gay, I mean. That worked better in my head, I swear…
Lance always seemed to be the most levelheaded of the N’Syncers (even when trying to blast off in space, which had he done it, he would have made that SNL skit ‘Gays in Space’ come true or at least it would have been ‘Gay in Space’). I think his popularity will do wonders to teach young people about diversity, respect and highlights (and you can never learn enough about highlights).
Cheers Lance! Hope you and the ‘Amazing Racer’ Reichen find happiness (although he was ‘married’ to Chip and we all know what happened there).
That’s great although about time after photos of the two were already found all over the net. Still, sadly, its a big and brave move so all the more to Lance (and with Reichen no doubt!)
I’m jealous.. I wanted Reichen!!
Good for him, living an honest life in the public. He’ll no doubt be ridiculed and bashed here and there (while the Charlie Sheens of the world get Emmy nominations), but it sounds like he’s got a strong family and group of friends for support.
Sadly, he can pretty much kiss radio goodbye. Midwest radio is almost hilariously bigoted. What Jody Watley probably learned the hard way is that the Gay Games were discussed all over the radio, just not with the postitive spin she would have brought it.
What a way to score, you got Reichen!
Everyone but everyone knew though that Lance was a big queen – he has a gay face you can’t miss.
What’s really sad is that one of the most libral institution – Hollywood – continues to perpetuate homophobia.
Poor Chip; loosing out to Justin Timberlake’s second runner up. Lance had better not be the one who broke them up.
good for him….hes done something i can never do.
I wish that we didn’t have to celebrate announcements like this – not for any hateful or prejudiced reasons, as I’m as left-leaning as they come and have very close friends who are gay. But I wish that a celebrity coming out wasn’t worthy of People’s front page, it would be nice to live in a society where sexual orientation was just accepted as is, and not newsworthy.
I’m happy for Lance Bass, as it must be an amazing feeling to feel free to be himself and not have to pretend to fit into a certain mold. I’ve never been an N-Sync fan, but I have a lot of respect for his decision and hope that others will follow in his footsteps.
So happy for him! Does this call for a haiku? No? OK.
of course we all know it’s alot “easier” to live when you’re out of the closet. of course it aint an easy world around you to live in, but now we can celebrate (good times, come on!), wow that was quite gay of me, but anyway we welcome you with open arms lance. mazzeltoff!! (spelling?) p.s. i was the first name mentioned as one of the correct guessers of last week’s headscratcher. I’M FAMOUS!!! sorry, seeing my name for all to see was fabulous. peace out.
yay!
i knew something was up when he kept appearing on kathy griffin’s ‘my life on the d-list’!
and to be with reichen at that!
dayum!
go lance!
fight the power!
Though it’s really not a shock to many (who hasn’t those pictures in the last few months?), glad to see that Lance is now putting the rumors to rest.
NO!!! If an average joe like Lance can get Reichen, I actually had a chance! DAMN!
Good for you, Lance!
God bless you both!
Gretchen, it may not call for a haiku but let’s do it anyway!
Tearin’ up my heart
With your news, o blonde-tipped one
Boys, hands off Reichen
Good for you Lance, you rock!!
Lol, Yeah im with the person who said they knew something was up when he kept appearing on Kathy Griffens hilarious show “my life on the D-list”, we all know she is the grand marshell of every gay pride parade with 2 more more attendants lol.
But yeah Good for you Lance. Nothing wrong with being gay as Oprah proudly proclaimed last week..
Gays are on the come up again.
That Gay games incident was very lame indeed. I wouldnt have spoke @ the radio station at all.
Wow, that Reichen is really hot! Oh, right, we’re supposed to be talking about Lance. Congrats on finally coming out, Lance! I think it’s great for him that he was able to do this, and show that he’s not some headcase about it, but truly comfortable with who he is. Sadly, I agree with the comments that he will inevitably face bigotry and persecution for being openly and proudly gay. As we all know, homophobia is alive and well in our country. When people, including “liberals” in Hollywood, just can’t deal with homosexuality, they make painfully bad gay jokes (at best). Side note: the fact that Jake Gyllenhaal still gets Brokeback jokes makes me want to puke. Anyway, to celebrate Lance’s announcement and the wonderfully fabulous community he is a part of, I’m going to blast “It’s Gonna Be Me” and sing along so loudly it’d make Timberlake blush!
Way to go Lance!!! Bring it baby!!!!!
Good for you Lance. I hope you didn’t think it would hurt you to come out while you were in NSYNC. We still would have loved you anyway. Good luck in your future and with Reichen.
Good for you Lance. I hope all his NSync bandmates are as supportive of him as Joey. On a semi-related note, where is the Snap Judgment of the new JT video?
Damn!
Lance waited five years, give or take, after “nSynch broke up. One can only imagine how nervous and anxious the other closet dwellers in the entertainment biz are.
The air is fresher out here, guys.
Good for him. More shocking to me – NSync still has fans?
I hope that Lance’s recent coming out (and lack of blatant backlash, thank god), will allow for other closeted actors and singers to come out.
As for those suicide rates and people who are gay but not out being unhappy, just look at closet case and a half Orlando “I am not gay,I have a girlfriend” Bloom’s performance in ElizabethTown. On the Line was a much better attempt to swirl off those rumors than Bloom’s last “romantic” movie.