How Lance Bass healed his relatnship wh his parents after g out as gay

Contents:

• MATT GAY OR TYLER BASS
• GAY BASS PLAYERS
• LETTERS TO THE EDOR: I’M GAY AND DON’T WANT TO PATRONIZE BIGOTS. THANKS, SUPREME COURT
• 'NSYNC'S LANCE BASS REVEALS HE'S GAY: 'I'M NOT ASHAMED ... I DON'T THK IT'S WRONG''I SUPPORT HIM AND WISH HIM ALL THE HAPPS THE WORLD,' JT TIMBERLAKE {FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.25 "GRAVY",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NONE;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#FFFFFF;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.25 "GRAVY",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NONE;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#FFFFFF;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}MICBY JENNIFER VEYARDJULY 26, 2006/12:53 {HEIGHT:HER;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;POSN:RELATIVE;-WEBK-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-MS-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-WEBK-ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-ALIGN:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-ALIGN:CENTER;ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-WEBK-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;-MS-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;} IMG{HEIGHT:100%;WIDTH:100%;OBJECT-F:VER;}{HEIGHT:574PX;WIDTH:1020PX;}BY JENNIFER VEYARDJULY 26, 2006 / 12:53 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"'NSYNC'S LANCE BASS REVEALS HE'S GAY: 'I'M NOT ASHAMED ... I DON'T THK IT'S WRONG'","THUMBNAILURL":","DATEPUBLISHED":"2006-07-26T16:53:31.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2006-07-26T16:53:31.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"MTV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"MTV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1280,"HEIGHT":720}},"CREATOR":"JENNIFER VEYARD","ARTICLESECTN":"MIC"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AFTER YEARS OF SPECULATN, LANCE BASS HAS NFIRMED THE MORS AND TOLD PEOPLE MAGAZE THAT HE IS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"THE THG IS, I'M NOT ASHAMED -- THAT'S THE ONE THG I WANT TO SAY," THE 'NSYNC SGER TOLD THE MAG THE ISSUE THAT HS NEWSSTANDS FRIDAY. "I DON'T THK 'S WRONG. I'M NOT VASTATED GOG THROUGH THIS. I'M MORE LIBERATED AND HAPPY THAN I'VE BEEN MY WHOLE LIFE. I'M JT HAPPY."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}([ARTICLE ID="1537158"]CLICK TO SEE LANCE ON THE VER OF PEOPLE.[/ARTICLE]){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE MORS STARTED DURG 'NSYNC'S HEYDAY (THE GROUP IS CURRENTLY ON HIAT) BUT HEATED UP THE LAST FEW MONTHS AS HE WAS SPOTTED EQUENTLY WH GAY-RIGHTS ACTIVIST AND REALY-TV PERSONALY REICHEN LEHMKUHL, WHO WON THE $1 LN PRIZE ON "THE AMAZG RACE 4" WH HIS FORMER PARTNER CHIP ARNDT. LEHMKUHL HAS SCE APPEARED ON OTHER REALY SHOWS SUCH AS "FEAR FACTOR" AND HOSTED A TALK SHOW ON THE NOW-FUNCT Q {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AFTER TABLOIDS AND GOSSIP S STARTED TRACKG BASS AND LEHMKUHL'S PUBLIC APPEARANC TOGETHER, LEHMKUHL RPOND MID-APRIL BY POSTG ON HIS WEB SE THAT HE LIK TO KEEP HIS PERSONAL LIFE PRIVATE. "AS FOR THE MORS ABOUT ME AND LANCE, PLEASE NTUE TO REMD PEOPLE THAT THGS THAT I DO NOT DISCS ANYMORE, SUCH AS THE PRIVATE AND PERSONAL RELATNSHIPS THAT I HAVE, ARE JT THAT -- PRIVATE -- UNLS I CHOOSE TO OPEN UP WH TAILS TO MY FAY AND CLOSE IENDS FOR REASONS OF SUPPORT AND LOVE," HE WROTE. "I WISH PEOPLE ULD ALLOW THAT PART OF ME FOR, WELL, JT ME AND WHO I CHOOSE TO SHARE MY LIFE WH AND LOVE ... AND TO LEAVE WELL ENOUGH ALONE."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}DPE THIS WISH, BASS TOLD PEOPLE THAT THE MORS ABOUT THE TWO BEG A UPLE WERE "REALLY STARTG TO AFFECT MY DAILY LIFE," SO HE CID TO E FORWARD AND NFIRM THAT THEY'RE A "VERY STABLE" RELATNSHIP. "NOW FEELS LIKE 'S ON MY TERMS. I'M AT PEACE WH MY FAY, MY IENDS, MYSELF AND GOD, SO THERE'S NOTHG ELSE THAT I WORRY ABOUT."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IT ALSO HELPS THAT BASS NO LONGER FEELS PELLED TO HI HIS PRIVATE LIFE TO PROTECT HIS BANDMAT, SCE THE BAND HAS BEEN ON HIAT FOR FOUR YEARS. WHEN 'NSYNC WERE FULL SWG, HE WORRIED THAT G OUT WOULD HURT THE BAND. "I DIDN'T KNOW: COULD THAT BE THE END OF 'NSYNC?" HE TOLD PEOPLE. "SO I HAD THAT WEIGHT ON ME OF, LIKE, 'WOW, IF I EVER LET ANYONE KNOW, 'S BAD.' SO I JT NEVER DID ... I HAD FOUR OTHER GUYS' REERS MY HAND, AND I KNEW THAT IF I EVER ACTED ON OR EVEN SAID [THAT I WAS GAY], WOULD OVERPOWER EVERYTHG."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BASS SAID HE'S KNOWN THAT HE'S GAY FOR HIS "WHOLE LIFE ... OM CHILDHOOD ON," BUT STGGLED BEE HE KNEW WOULD BE "SOMETHG THAT I WOULD HAVE TO HI MY WHOLE LIFE." BASS HID OM HIS BANDMAT -- WHO SPECTED ANYWAY "BEE WE WERE LIKE BROTHERS," HE SAID, AND THEY WONRED, " 'WHY AREN'T YOU HTG ON WOMEN ALL THE TIME AND ACTG LIKE A ROCK STAR?' BEE I WAS A GOOD CHRISTIAN BOY, THAT'S WHY."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THEIR SPICNS WERE ALSO PLITED BY THE FACT THAT BASS WAS DATG WOMEN UNTIL HE WAS 22 (HE'S NOW 27). "I'VE FELY, YOU KNOW, BEEN WH WOMEN," BASS SAID. "AND I'VE HAD GREAT RELATNSHIPS WH THEM WHERE I WAS FELY LOVE. IT'S JT I GREW TO A POT WHERE EP SI I KNEW THAT I ULD NEVER TLY HAVE A RELATNSHIP WH A WOMAN. I DON'T KNOW IF THEY EVER SPECTED. IT WAS NEVER BROUGHT UP."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"HE TOOK YEARS TO REALLY THK ABOUT HOW HE WAS GOG TO TELL EVERYONE," JOEY FATONE TOLD PEOPLE. "I BACK HIM UP 100 PERCENT."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"I'VE KNOW LANCE FOR MORE THAN 10 YEARS," JC CHASEZ TOLD MTV NEWS. "WE HAVE BEEN THROUGH SO MUCH TOGETHER. HE IS FAY AND I SUPPORT HIM UNNDNALLY."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FATONE WAS THE FIRST 'NSYNC BANDMATE BASS TOLD ABOUT BEG GAY, AFTER FATONE WALKED ON BASS AND A MALE DATE AT HIS HOE ORLANDO, FLORIDA. FATONE'S RPONSE AT THE TIME? "DU, I DON'T RE," BASS RELLED HIM SAYG. CHRIS KIRKPATRICK FOUND OUT LAST SUMMER AND JC CHASEZ THREE MONTHS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"VERY FEW PEOPLE HAVE THE GUTS TO E UP TO YOU AND SAY, 'HEY, ARE YOU GAY?' " BASS SAID. "I'M PRETTY SURE THEY ALL KNEW AND THEY PROBABLY ALL TALKED TO EACH OTHER, BUT THEY HAD THE RPECT TO LET ME TELL THEM. I HAVEN'T HAD THE NVERSATN WH JT [TIMBERLAKE] YET. I KNOW HE KNOWS, BUT I'VE NEVER REALLY SAT HIM DOWN AND SAID ." I WILL BE LLG HIM."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"LANCE IS ONE OF MY GREAT IENDS," TIMBERLAKE TOLD MTV NEWS WEDNDAY (JULY 26). "I SUPPORT HIM AND WISH HIM ALL THE HAPPS THE WORLD."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}TELLG HIS BANDMAT HAS BEEN EASY, BUT TELLG HIS FAY WAS ANOTHER MATTER. HIS SISTER BEME PALE AND STARTED CRYG WHEN HE TOLD HER, WHILE HIS MOTHER "BROKE DOWN." "THE WORST PART ABOUT WAS MY MOM FOUND OUT NOT OM ME," BASS SAID. "SHE FOUND OUT ON THE INTER, AND THAT'S WHAT JT KILLED ME. ... IT STROYED HER FOR A LTLE B." HIS FATHER, THE MEANTIME, WAS NCERNED ABOUT DISEAS, TELLG LANCE THAT "IT'S MUCH EASIER FOR GAY PEOPLE TO GET AIDS," AND "STATISTICS SHOW THAT THE RELATNSHIPS DON'T LAST. YOU KNOW 'S NOT GOG TO LAST." "I WAS LIKE, 'DAD, WOW!' "{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN BASS' HOMETOWN OF CLTON, MISSISSIPPI, WHERE HIS MOTHER IS A MIDDLE-SCHOOL TEACHER AND HIS FATHER WORKS REAL TATE, BEG GAY IS "NOT LOOKED AT VERY HIGHLY," HE SAID. BUT AS WORRIED AS HE WAS THAT HIS GRANDPARENTS WOULD TAKE EVEN WORSE, HIS MATERNAL GRANDMOTHER, WHO WAS TOLD LAST WEEK, HANDLED "SO WELL," HE SAYS. "SHE WAS LIKE, 'YOU KNOW WHAT? I MAY NOT AGREE WH , BUT I LOVE YOU JT THE SAME AND YOU'RE WELE MY HOE ANYTIME.' "{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FOR NOW, BASS AND LEHMKUHL ARE "TAKG ONE DAY AT A TIME," SCE THE RELATNSHIP IS ONLY A FEW MONTHS OLD. THEY MET BEE LEHMKUHL WAS BASS' REAL-TATE AGENT, AND THE TWO BEME IENDS, THEN LOVERS. "THIS IS A HUGE TURNG POT MY LIFE AND ALSO HIS LIFE TOO," BASS SAID. EVENTUALLY, BASS WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A FAY AND HOP TO HAVE HIS OWN KIDS AS WELL AS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"I WANT PEOPLE TO TAKE AWAY OM THIS THAT BEG GAY IS A NORM," BASS SAID. "THAT THE STEREOTYP ARE OUT THE WDOW ... I'VE MET SO MANY PEOPLE LIKE ME THAT 'S REALLY ENURAGED ME. I LL THEM THE SAGS -- THE STRAIGHT-ACTG GAYS. WE'RE JT NORMAL, TYPIL GUYS. I LOVE TO WATCH FOOTBALL AND DRK BEER."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AND IF PEOPLE ASK HIM NOW IF HE'S GAY, BASS SAID HE PLANS TO RPOND, "NO, I'M ALSO GAY." MEANG THAT WON'T FE HIM -- JT THE PART OF HIMSELF THAT HE DON'T HAVE TO HI {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}[THIS STORY WAS ORIGALLY PUBLISHED AT 1:07 PM E.T. ON 07.26.2006]{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS
• HOW LANCE BASS HEALED HIS RELATNSHIP WH HIS PARENTS AFTER G OUT AS GAY
• LANCE BASS: 'I'M GAY'
• LANCE BASS: I'M GAY

MATT GAY OR TYLER BASS

Tyler Bass K - BUFTyler BassK - BUFMatt Gay K - INDMatt GayK - IND.

Tyler BassMatt GayAdd Player. Gay bass players |. I nt remember that i have ever seen a gay bass Do they exist?

Stefan Olsdal om Placebo I believe is homosexual. Every bass player is gay acrdg to many gui****s I know... Too lazy to bother lookg up to verify, but I believe Dug Pnick intifi himself as homosexual.

GAY BASS PLAYERS

You ever see vios om the 80's of urse there are gay people that play bass. If you're beg ser, then eher (1) you need to get out more, or (2) y, you have seen gay bass players, but they weren't wearg their intifyg helmets wh the revolvg police lamp and the flashg LED arrows potg to the neon I'M GAY sign on ont. McCoy for The New York TimHis Sexualy Don’t Defe Him, but It Can Set Him ApartEric Bach is an openly gay broadster for the Frericksburg Natnals.

Three years earlier, while he was studyg journalism at Michigan State Universy, he had publicly e out as gay an say he wrote for the time of the say, he braced for a backlash, but nothg materialized. He worked his way up om ternships to full-time broadstg jobs, and while anyone wh an ter nnectn uld learn he was gay, nobody asked, and he did not say so aga publicly. It was bil and ugly, filled wh “every gay slur you uld thk of, ” Bach said.

LETTERS TO THE EDOR: I’M GAY AND DON’T WANT TO PATRONIZE BIGOTS. THANKS, SUPREME COURT

It was paful at the time — the worst thg that had happened to him as a gay man, he said — but has reced far enough to his memory that did not e to md an hourlong terview about his experienc as a gay broadster.

As far as Bach knows — and as far as many of his unterparts wh other teams are aware — there are no other openly gay broadsters the sport.

McCoy for The New York TimBorn to BroadstLong before he knew he was gay, Bach knew he wanted to be a sports father was a ach, and a love of sports ran through the fay.

'NSYNC'S LANCE BASS REVEALS HE'S GAY: 'I'M NOT ASHAMED ... I DON'T THK IT'S WRONG''I SUPPORT HIM AND WISH HIM ALL THE HAPPS THE WORLD,' JT TIMBERLAKE {FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.25 "GRAVY",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NONE;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#FFFFFF;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.25 "GRAVY",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NONE;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#FFFFFF;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}MICBY JENNIFER VEYARDJULY 26, 2006/12:53 {HEIGHT:HER;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;POSN:RELATIVE;-WEBK-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-MS-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-WEBK-ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-ALIGN:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-ALIGN:CENTER;ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-WEBK-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;-MS-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;} IMG{HEIGHT:100%;WIDTH:100%;OBJECT-F:VER;}{HEIGHT:574PX;WIDTH:1020PX;}BY JENNIFER VEYARDJULY 26, 2006 / 12:53 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"'NSYNC'S LANCE BASS REVEALS HE'S GAY: 'I'M NOT ASHAMED ... I DON'T THK IT'S WRONG'","THUMBNAILURL":","DATEPUBLISHED":"2006-07-26T16:53:31.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2006-07-26T16:53:31.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"MTV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"MTV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1280,"HEIGHT":720}},"CREATOR":"JENNIFER VEYARD","ARTICLESECTN":"MIC"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AFTER YEARS OF SPECULATN, LANCE BASS HAS NFIRMED THE MORS AND TOLD PEOPLE MAGAZE THAT HE IS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"THE THG IS, I'M NOT ASHAMED -- THAT'S THE ONE THG I WANT TO SAY," THE 'NSYNC SGER TOLD THE MAG THE ISSUE THAT HS NEWSSTANDS FRIDAY. "I DON'T THK 'S WRONG. I'M NOT VASTATED GOG THROUGH THIS. I'M MORE LIBERATED AND HAPPY THAN I'VE BEEN MY WHOLE LIFE. I'M JT HAPPY."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}([ARTICLE ID="1537158"]CLICK TO SEE LANCE ON THE VER OF PEOPLE.[/ARTICLE]){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE MORS STARTED DURG 'NSYNC'S HEYDAY (THE GROUP IS CURRENTLY ON HIAT) BUT HEATED UP THE LAST FEW MONTHS AS HE WAS SPOTTED EQUENTLY WH GAY-RIGHTS ACTIVIST AND REALY-TV PERSONALY REICHEN LEHMKUHL, WHO WON THE $1 LN PRIZE ON "THE AMAZG RACE 4" WH HIS FORMER PARTNER CHIP ARNDT. LEHMKUHL HAS SCE APPEARED ON OTHER REALY SHOWS SUCH AS "FEAR FACTOR" AND HOSTED A TALK SHOW ON THE NOW-FUNCT Q {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AFTER TABLOIDS AND GOSSIP S STARTED TRACKG BASS AND LEHMKUHL'S PUBLIC APPEARANC TOGETHER, LEHMKUHL RPOND MID-APRIL BY POSTG ON HIS WEB SE THAT HE LIK TO KEEP HIS PERSONAL LIFE PRIVATE. "AS FOR THE MORS ABOUT ME AND LANCE, PLEASE NTUE TO REMD PEOPLE THAT THGS THAT I DO NOT DISCS ANYMORE, SUCH AS THE PRIVATE AND PERSONAL RELATNSHIPS THAT I HAVE, ARE JT THAT -- PRIVATE -- UNLS I CHOOSE TO OPEN UP WH TAILS TO MY FAY AND CLOSE IENDS FOR REASONS OF SUPPORT AND LOVE," HE WROTE. "I WISH PEOPLE ULD ALLOW THAT PART OF ME FOR, WELL, JT ME AND WHO I CHOOSE TO SHARE MY LIFE WH AND LOVE ... AND TO LEAVE WELL ENOUGH ALONE."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}DPE THIS WISH, BASS TOLD PEOPLE THAT THE MORS ABOUT THE TWO BEG A UPLE WERE "REALLY STARTG TO AFFECT MY DAILY LIFE," SO HE CID TO E FORWARD AND NFIRM THAT THEY'RE A "VERY STABLE" RELATNSHIP. "NOW FEELS LIKE 'S ON MY TERMS. I'M AT PEACE WH MY FAY, MY IENDS, MYSELF AND GOD, SO THERE'S NOTHG ELSE THAT I WORRY ABOUT."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IT ALSO HELPS THAT BASS NO LONGER FEELS PELLED TO HI HIS PRIVATE LIFE TO PROTECT HIS BANDMAT, SCE THE BAND HAS BEEN ON HIAT FOR FOUR YEARS. WHEN 'NSYNC WERE FULL SWG, HE WORRIED THAT G OUT WOULD HURT THE BAND. "I DIDN'T KNOW: COULD THAT BE THE END OF 'NSYNC?" HE TOLD PEOPLE. "SO I HAD THAT WEIGHT ON ME OF, LIKE, 'WOW, IF I EVER LET ANYONE KNOW, 'S BAD.' SO I JT NEVER DID ... I HAD FOUR OTHER GUYS' REERS MY HAND, AND I KNEW THAT IF I EVER ACTED ON OR EVEN SAID [THAT I WAS GAY], WOULD OVERPOWER EVERYTHG."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BASS SAID HE'S KNOWN THAT HE'S GAY FOR HIS "WHOLE LIFE ... OM CHILDHOOD ON," BUT STGGLED BEE HE KNEW WOULD BE "SOMETHG THAT I WOULD HAVE TO HI MY WHOLE LIFE." BASS HID OM HIS BANDMAT -- WHO SPECTED ANYWAY "BEE WE WERE LIKE BROTHERS," HE SAID, AND THEY WONRED, " 'WHY AREN'T YOU HTG ON WOMEN ALL THE TIME AND ACTG LIKE A ROCK STAR?' BEE I WAS A GOOD CHRISTIAN BOY, THAT'S WHY."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THEIR SPICNS WERE ALSO PLITED BY THE FACT THAT BASS WAS DATG WOMEN UNTIL HE WAS 22 (HE'S NOW 27). "I'VE FELY, YOU KNOW, BEEN WH WOMEN," BASS SAID. "AND I'VE HAD GREAT RELATNSHIPS WH THEM WHERE I WAS FELY LOVE. IT'S JT I GREW TO A POT WHERE EP SI I KNEW THAT I ULD NEVER TLY HAVE A RELATNSHIP WH A WOMAN. I DON'T KNOW IF THEY EVER SPECTED. IT WAS NEVER BROUGHT UP."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"HE TOOK YEARS TO REALLY THK ABOUT HOW HE WAS GOG TO TELL EVERYONE," JOEY FATONE TOLD PEOPLE. "I BACK HIM UP 100 PERCENT."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"I'VE KNOW LANCE FOR MORE THAN 10 YEARS," JC CHASEZ TOLD MTV NEWS. "WE HAVE BEEN THROUGH SO MUCH TOGETHER. HE IS FAY AND I SUPPORT HIM UNNDNALLY."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FATONE WAS THE FIRST 'NSYNC BANDMATE BASS TOLD ABOUT BEG GAY, AFTER FATONE WALKED ON BASS AND A MALE DATE AT HIS HOE ORLANDO, FLORIDA. FATONE'S RPONSE AT THE TIME? "DU, I DON'T RE," BASS RELLED HIM SAYG. CHRIS KIRKPATRICK FOUND OUT LAST SUMMER AND JC CHASEZ THREE MONTHS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"VERY FEW PEOPLE HAVE THE GUTS TO E UP TO YOU AND SAY, 'HEY, ARE YOU GAY?' " BASS SAID. "I'M PRETTY SURE THEY ALL KNEW AND THEY PROBABLY ALL TALKED TO EACH OTHER, BUT THEY HAD THE RPECT TO LET ME TELL THEM. I HAVEN'T HAD THE NVERSATN WH JT [TIMBERLAKE] YET. I KNOW HE KNOWS, BUT I'VE NEVER REALLY SAT HIM DOWN AND SAID ." I WILL BE LLG HIM."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"LANCE IS ONE OF MY GREAT IENDS," TIMBERLAKE TOLD MTV NEWS WEDNDAY (JULY 26). "I SUPPORT HIM AND WISH HIM ALL THE HAPPS THE WORLD."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}TELLG HIS BANDMAT HAS BEEN EASY, BUT TELLG HIS FAY WAS ANOTHER MATTER. HIS SISTER BEME PALE AND STARTED CRYG WHEN HE TOLD HER, WHILE HIS MOTHER "BROKE DOWN." "THE WORST PART ABOUT WAS MY MOM FOUND OUT NOT OM ME," BASS SAID. "SHE FOUND OUT ON THE INTER, AND THAT'S WHAT JT KILLED ME. ... IT STROYED HER FOR A LTLE B." HIS FATHER, THE MEANTIME, WAS NCERNED ABOUT DISEAS, TELLG LANCE THAT "IT'S MUCH EASIER FOR GAY PEOPLE TO GET AIDS," AND "STATISTICS SHOW THAT THE RELATNSHIPS DON'T LAST. YOU KNOW 'S NOT GOG TO LAST." "I WAS LIKE, 'DAD, WOW!' "{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN BASS' HOMETOWN OF CLTON, MISSISSIPPI, WHERE HIS MOTHER IS A MIDDLE-SCHOOL TEACHER AND HIS FATHER WORKS REAL TATE, BEG GAY IS "NOT LOOKED AT VERY HIGHLY," HE SAID. BUT AS WORRIED AS HE WAS THAT HIS GRANDPARENTS WOULD TAKE EVEN WORSE, HIS MATERNAL GRANDMOTHER, WHO WAS TOLD LAST WEEK, HANDLED "SO WELL," HE SAYS. "SHE WAS LIKE, 'YOU KNOW WHAT? I MAY NOT AGREE WH , BUT I LOVE YOU JT THE SAME AND YOU'RE WELE MY HOE ANYTIME.' "{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FOR NOW, BASS AND LEHMKUHL ARE "TAKG ONE DAY AT A TIME," SCE THE RELATNSHIP IS ONLY A FEW MONTHS OLD. THEY MET BEE LEHMKUHL WAS BASS' REAL-TATE AGENT, AND THE TWO BEME IENDS, THEN LOVERS. "THIS IS A HUGE TURNG POT MY LIFE AND ALSO HIS LIFE TOO," BASS SAID. EVENTUALLY, BASS WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A FAY AND HOP TO HAVE HIS OWN KIDS AS WELL AS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"I WANT PEOPLE TO TAKE AWAY OM THIS THAT BEG GAY IS A NORM," BASS SAID. "THAT THE STEREOTYP ARE OUT THE WDOW ... I'VE MET SO MANY PEOPLE LIKE ME THAT 'S REALLY ENURAGED ME. I LL THEM THE SAGS -- THE STRAIGHT-ACTG GAYS. WE'RE JT NORMAL, TYPIL GUYS. I LOVE TO WATCH FOOTBALL AND DRK BEER."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AND IF PEOPLE ASK HIM NOW IF HE'S GAY, BASS SAID HE PLANS TO RPOND, "NO, I'M ALSO GAY." MEANG THAT WON'T FE HIM -- JT THE PART OF HIMSELF THAT HE DON'T HAVE TO HI {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#F3F3F3;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}[THIS STORY WAS ORIGALLY PUBLISHED AT 1:07 PM E.T. ON 07.26.2006]{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS

”)He began to accept that he was gay durg his sophomore year of high school, but wh that acceptance me worry. As a multisport athlete, Bach was often locker rooms filled wh chos of homophobic slurs and gay jok.

’”By the start of his sophomore year at Michigan State, Bach was ready to tell his parents that he was gay, tchg his father off guard but nfirmg what his mother had prevly assumed.

He did each job to the bt of his abily, and his sexualy never me, he has found that there’s a difference between beg a gay man baseball and beg pletely fortable as one. “I was sually like, ‘You know I’m gay, right? That uncertaty mak him feel self-nsc a way he believ is mon for gay people mostly straight spac.

HOW LANCE BASS HEALED HIS RELATNSHIP WH HIS PARENTS AFTER G OUT AS GAY

“I feel like that’s the burn a lot of gay people live wh — tryg to be perfect for straight people, ” he job requir equent teractn wh the players and the achg staff — addn to his duti as play-by-play announcer, Bach also is the ma public relatns ntact for the team — and he said he hadn’t fully relaxed any of them.

The environment is not hostile, but Bach never fets that he is the only openly gay person the room. Mrer/Frericksburg NatnalsThat feelg is somewhat “self-flicted, ” Bach said, but he believ the solutn is to brg more openly gay people to sports and create a safe environment for those who are already there but have felt necsary to hi their League Baseball has touted self as a place of clivy. Billy Bean, an openly gay former player, was named the league’s first ambassador for cln 2014 and has sce been promoted to senr vice print and special assistant to Commissner Rob Maned.

In Febary, Anrson Comás, a mor leaguer the Chigo Whe Sox anizatn, me out as gay wh a post on Instagram, and the announcement was met wh public support om his club and some people around the cints suggt there is more work to be done. The Boston Red Sox lled up a mor leaguer, Matt Dermody, who had posted an anti-gay msage on Twter 2021, and Anthony Bass, a reliever for the Toronto Blue Jays, reposted a vio on social media that lled for boytts of L. “Those of that are this very small mory sports have to keep on havg the nversatns, keep on workg really ick’ hard to earn your spot this space, ” he aspir to be a gay person at home a big-league booth.

LANCE BASS: 'I'M GAY'

McCoy for The New York TimA versn of this article appears prt on, Sectn A, Page 27 of the New York edn wh the headle: A Gay Broadster Climbs the Ladr, But It’s Been Lonely. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angel Tim) To the edor: I wonr if the LGBTQ+ muny realiz that the Supreme Court lg favor of a webse signer who didn’t want to create weddg s for gay upl n work our favor as well. (“How the ripple effect of the Supreme Court’s 303 Creative cisn uld swamp civil rights, ” Opn, July 12)As a gay man, I am always ncerned if the bs where I spend my money are supportive of my muny.

LANCE BASS: I'M GAY

After years of speculatn, Lance Bass has nfirmed the mors and told People magaze that he is gay. [/article])The mors started durg 'NSYNC's heyday (the group is currently on hiat) but heated up the last few months as he was spotted equently wh gay-rights activist and realy-TV personaly Reichen Lehmkuhl, who won the $1 ln prize on "The Amazg Race 4" wh his former partner Chip Arndt.