Lance Bass: I'm Gay

Contents:

• WHY LANCE BASS WAS TERRIFIED TO E OUT AS GAY TO HIS PARENTS
• LANCE BASS: 'I THOUGHT I'D NEVER BE ABLE TO TELL ANYONE' I WAS GAY
• THE AWKWARD WAY NSYNC'S JOEY FATONE FOUND OUT LANCE BASS WAS GAY
• LANCE BASS: I'M GAY
• '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
• LANCE BASS ‘GOT CALLED GAY EVERY SGLE DAY’ WHILE HE WAS IN *NSYNC
• LANCE BASS OUT OF CLOSET: BOY BAND MEMBER ADMS HE’S GAY
• LANCE BASS IS THE FIRST N'SYNC MEMBER TO ADM HE'S GAY
• LANCE BASS SAYS HE HID SEXUALY FOR FEAR OF DOOMG 'NSYNC'S CAREERSGER, WHOSE TOBGRAPHY ME OUT TUDAY, REVEALS HE HAD PEOPLE CLOSE TO HIM SIGN NON-DISCLOSURE {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 ARCHIVE-CHRIS-HARRISOCTOBER 23, 2007/2:49 {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 ARCHIVE-CHRIS-HARRISOCTOBER 23, 2007 / 2:49 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"LANCE BASS SAYS HE HID SEXUALY FOR FEAR OF DOOMG 'NSYNC'S CAREER","THUMBNAILURL":","DATEPUBLISHED":"2007-10-23T18:49:40.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2007-10-23T18:49:40.000+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":"ARCHIVE-CHRIS-HARRIS","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;}FOR YEARS, CLUDG DURG THE HEIGHT OF 'NSYNC'S SUCCS, LANCE BASS LIVED NSTANT FEAR THAT A SECRET HE HAD BEEN SUPPRSG SCE CHILDHOOD WOULD EVENTUALLY E OUT -- AND WH VASTATG RULTS. BASS, WHO LAST YEAR [ARTICLE ID="1537155"]REVEALED HE IS GAY,[/ARTICLE] HAD PREVLY BEEN WORRIED THAT THE NEWS WOULD CRIPPLE HIS REER AND TARNISH 'NSYNC'S SQUEAKY-CLEAN {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 WAS PETRIFIED OF PEOPLE FDG OUT," HE TOLD MTV NEWS' JOHN NORRIS DURG A RECENT TERVIEW. "AT THE TIME, I THOUGHT WOULD BE THE END OF THE WORLD. NOW, HDSIGHT, I WISH I WOULD HAVE E OUT AT THAT TIME, BEE I WOULD'VE LOVED TO SEE WHAT THE REACTN WOULD HAVE BEEN."{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;}BEE OF HIS FEAR, BASS KEPT HIS SEXUALY PRIVATE. IN FACT, BASS WAS SO TIMORO ABOUT THE WORLD FDG OUT HE WAS GAY THAT HE HAD IENDS, EMPLOYE AND OTHERS CLOSE TO HIM SIGN NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENTS. BASS SAYS NOT EVEN HIS BT IENDS 'NSYNC KNEW HE WAS GAY, AND THAT HIS DAYS THE CLOSET WERE RIDDLED WH {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 WAS EMBARRASSED," SAID BASS, WHO IS CURRENTLY ACTG "HAIRSPRAY" ON BROADWAY AS PART OF A SIX-MONTH N. "THE EMBARRASSMENT WASN'T THAT I WAS GAY, WAS THAT, 'I'VE KNOWN YOU FOR THIS LONG, AND I HAVE BEEN HIDG THIS [SECRET] OM YOU.' I FELT LIKE I HAD TO LIE TO MY IENDS."{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 BAND'S PUBLICISTS, MANAGERS AND RERD LABEL SUGGTED THE MEMBERS NEVER BE SEEN WH WOMEN -- OR, FOR THAT MATTER, WH A CIGARETTE OR BEER THEIR HANDS. BUT NO ONE EVER EXPRSLY ADVISED BASS AGAST G OUT -- THAT'S BEE NO ONE KNEW, HE SAID. NOT LONG AFTER THE BAND'S REER TOOK OFF, HOWEVER, ONE CINT REAFFIRMED BASS' POSN THAT G CLEAN ULD CSH HIS DREAMS, THE SGER {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;}"THERE WERE MANY TIM, EARLY OUR REER, WHERE THERE WERE A LOT OF QUTNS ABOUT EVERYONE ELSE'S SEXUALY, SO WHEN YOU'RE TALKG WH THE OTHER GUYS, YOU SEE HOW THEY REALLY REACT," BASS SAID. "ONE TIME, WE QUTNED CHRIS [KIRKPATRICK], BEE HE HAD A GAY IEND, AND THE REACTN WAS WE'D BE DOOMED IF ANYONE KNEW ABOUT . THAT SET STRAIGHT MY HEAD THAT I WOULD NEVER BE ABLE TO TALK ABOUT OR TELL ANYONE, AND I WOULD JT 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;}EVEN AS HIS BANDMAT WOULD MAKE THE OCSNAL WISECRACK ABOUT GAY PEOPLE -- "THAT'S JT WHAT GUYS DO TO TABLISH THEIR MASCULY," HE SAID -- BASS KEPT QUIET AND "TRIED TO CUT OFF MY LIFE, THOSE FEELGS."{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;}BUT BASS ALSO SPECTS THERE WERE TIM WHEN HIS BANDMAT MIGHT HAVE WONRED IF HE WERE GAY: "WHEN YOU'RE BT IENDS WH SOMEONE AND YOU DON'T HAVE A GIRLIEND FOR FOUR YEARS, AND YOU'RE NOT SEEN WH ANYONE, YOU SORT OF START FIGURG OUT," HE {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 'NSYNC WENT ON HIAT BACK 2002, BASS -- WHO HAD BEEN TOLD THE BAND WOULD RETURN TO FORM FOLLOWG JT TIMBERLAKE'S STT AS A SOLO ARTIST -- STILL DIDN'T WANT TO E OUT. BUT LAST SUMMER, FOLLOWG NSIRABLE SPECULATN ABOUT BASS' SEXUALY THANKS TO NUMERO PAPARAZZI SNAPS OF HIM EQUENTG GAY CLUBS AND BARS, HE EMERGED OM THE CLOSET, WH A LTLE HELP OM PEOPLE MAGAZE. NOW BASS FEELS LIBERATED, HE {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 NEVER THOUGHT I'D BE TALKG ABOUT MY LIFE SUCH TIMATE TAIL WH ANYONE," HE SAID. "SO, WHEN I DID E OUT AND KD OF ACCEPTED , AND SHARED WH THE WORLD, AND SAW HOW [ARTICLE ID="1537282"]GREATLY WAS ACCEPTED,[/ARTICLE] AND HOW A LOT OF PEOPLE WERE RELATG TO THE STORI -- I'D HAVE PEOPLE E UP TO ME, TELLG ME, 'BEE OF WHAT YOU DID, I HAD THE URAGE TO E OUT TO MY FAY' -- WAS SUCH AN ENURAGG EXPERIENCE, I WANTED TO SHARE MY LIFE STORY WH OTHER PEOPLE, TO SEE IF ULD HELP OTHERS."{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 BASS IS TRYG TO DO JT THAT WH HIS NEW TELL-ALL BOOK, "OUT OF SYNC: A MEMOIR," WHICH H STOR TUDAY (OCTOBER 23). BEYOND CHARTG BASS' RISE TO FAME AS A MEMBER OF 'NSYNC, AS WELL AS THE BAND'S CLE, HIS CHILDHOOD, HIS EXPERIENC TRAG TO BE A SMONT RSIA, THE TOBGRAPHY CHRONICL HIS STGGLE TO KEEP HIS PERSONAL LIFE {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;}"IF [I HADN'T E OUT,] I MIGHT STILL BE MISERABLE AND HIDG THGS," HE {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;}BUT WHILE BASS IS HAPPY TO BE OUT OF THE CLOSET, THAT DON'T MEAN HE'S GOG TO START OUTG OTHERS, EVEN IF HIS BOOK'S PUBLISHER TRIED TO GET HIM TO DO {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 KNOW PLENTY OF PEOPLE THE DTRY THAT ARE THE CLOSET AND NOT WANTG TO SHARE THAT PERSONAL TAIL OF THEIR LIFE," HE EXPLAED. "AND I UNRSTAND THAT. IT'S A VERY SRY THG, PECIALLY WHEN NEW ARTISTS ARE ABOUT TO BREAK, OR ACTORS ARE TAKG STRAIGHT ROL -- YOU'RE AAID THE DIENCE WON'T BUY . THE PUBLISHER AND A LOT OF PEOPLE WANTED MORE DIRT [ MY BOOK], BEE NTROVERSY SELLS. TO ME, 'S NOT ABOUT SELLG A BOOK -- I JT WANTED TO SHARE MY STORY, WHOUT HURTG ANYONE'S FEELGS OR THROWG ANYONE UNR THE B. THERE'S LOTS OF THGS I ULD FELY SAY, AND POT THE FGER AT PEOPLE, BUT I WANTED THIS TO BE A POSIVE BOOK, AND MY LIFE UP TO NOW HAS BEEN VERY POSIVE. I'M HAPPY WH EVERY ASPECT OF MY LIFE, AND I DON'T WANT TO PLA ABOUT ANYTHG I'VE EVER DONE."{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 THE BOOK, BASS ALSO DISCS G OUT TO HIS FAY AND IENDS, AND THE REACTNS THEY HAD TO THE NEWS. IN ONE ANECDOTE, HE RELLS HOW BT IEND JOEY FATONE LEARNED HIS SECRET: HE ATTEND ONE OF BASS' HOE PARTI AND STUMBLED UPON HIS PAL STG A CLOSED ROOM WH HIS BOYIEND STG ACROSS HIS {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 WALKED , AND WAS LIKE, 'OH, SORRY,' AND WALKED OUT," BASS RELLED. "AND I WAS GOG, 'NO -- 'S OK, JOEY.' HE KNEW OM THAT MOMENT ON -- THAT WAS THE DAY I TOLD 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;}BASS SAID HE THKS PEOPLE WILL BE SURPRISED WHEN THEY READ HIS TOME, WHICH HE SAID ANSWERS A LOT OF QUTNS 'NSYNC FANS HAVE BEEN ASKG HIM FOR {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 FELY THK PEOPLE WILL BE SURPRISED AT A LOT OF THGS THE BOOK," HE SAID. "NO ONE HAS REALLY SEEN THE TE ME. I THK A LOT OF QUTNS WILL BE ANSWERED TO A LOT OF FANS, BEE I GET A LOT OF QUTNS EVERY DAY. THIS IS MY ANSWER TIME."{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 TOLD MTV NEWS HE HAS A NEW GOAL FOR NEXT YEAR: TO PROVE THAT YOU N BE OPENLY GAY AND STILL HAVE A REER SHOW {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;}"PEOPLE HAVE SAID FOR SO LONG THAT YOU N'T BE SUCCSFUL THIS DTRY AND BE OUT AND GAY, AND I THK THAT'S A BUNCH OF BULL," HE SAID. "IT'S NEVER BEEN TTED BEFORE. BUT I PLAN TO TT NEXT YEAR. I HAVE A SHOW THAT I AM VELOPG, WHICH WILL BE A MIC SHOW BASED AROUND OUT GAY AND BISEXUAL GUYS [WHO WILL E TOGETHER TO FORM A BOY BAND]. I WILL BE STG , AND SHOULD BE FUN. I WANT TO TT THAT THEORY OUT AND DO A CULTURAL EXPERIMENT, TO SEE IF WORKS."{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
• DANIELLE FISHEL REVEALS WHICH NSYNC MEMBER TOLD HER LANCE BASS WAS GAY WHILE THEY WERE DATG
• LANCE BASS REVEALS ONGOG BATTLE WH DEPRSN & HOW *NSYNC REACTED TO HIM BEG GAY (EXCLIVE)
• LANCE BASS REVEALS WHY HE DIDN'T COME OUT AS GAY DURG *NSYNC
• LANCE BASS OF *NSYNC REVEALS HE'S GAY

WHY LANCE BASS WAS TERRIFIED TO E OUT AS GAY TO HIS PARENTS

CelebryLGBTQ+ Joy For All“Boy Meets World” Star Danielle Fishel And Lance Bass Jt Reflected On Their Yearlong Romance And Revealed They’re Turng Their Relatnship Into A MovieLance me out as gay four years after NSYNC went on hiat — and six years after he broke Boy Meets World star Danielle Fishel’s on Augt 30, 2022, 4:08 pm.

LANCE BASS: 'I THOUGHT I'D NEVER BE ABLE TO TELL ANYONE' I WAS GAY

Lance ntued to exclively date women until he was 22 years old, but 2006 — four years after NSYNC went on a hiat — Lance me out as gay a ver story for People magaze.

His cisn to open up about his sexualy me amid mountg speculatn, wh Lance beg pictured at gay bars and clubs by the paparazzi the weeks leadg up to to the terview.

THE AWKWARD WAY NSYNC'S JOEY FATONE FOUND OUT LANCE BASS WAS GAY

The sger admted that he didn’t thk that he would ever be able to “act on beg gay, ” and that his management and rerd label lay down the law on what he uld and uldn’t say and do public. Discsg the breakdown of Lance’s relatnship wh Danielle, her podst host Will Friedle asked: “When you broke up wh her, had you told yourself yet that you were gay?

I had realized that y, I wasn’t to girls, but also — my head — there was no way I would ever act on beg gay.

LANCE BASS: I'M GAY

“They’d disguise a way … If they knew that I was gay, then they wouldn’t say, ‘Hey, if you’re gay, don’t e out. “So I knew beg out gay was fely not gonna be [an optn. Durg the chat, Danielle revealed that several people — cludg her mother — had speculated about Lance’s sexualy after he dumped her, but bee beg gay was a much more taboo topic back the '90s, she didn’t believe them.

'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

“Other people said to me, ‘Danielle, Lance is gay, ’ before Lance did and were really tryg to tell me, like, If you n’t see , that’s what’s gog on, and was such a thg back then, Lance was so private about and… You were forced to be the closet, ” she shared. “Even for me, someone sayg to me, ‘It’s actually that he’s gay, ’ I was like, ‘Well, no, that’s not possible, ’ bee wasn’t as accepted, wasn’t as mon, was like everyone was sayg that [so I’d] thk ’s not me. It didn’t matter that Lance was gay and that I was not gog to end up marryg him, we have mataed a iendship through all the years.

Lance Bass remembers tryg to "pray the gay away" as a 5-year-old boy growg up a small Mississippi town.

“I was tght that homosexualy is a s and you have to fix . You hear so many horror stori — pecially the south — of fai rejectg their gay kids.

LANCE BASS ‘GOT CALLED GAY EVERY SGLE DAY’ WHILE HE WAS IN *NSYNC

Bass me out as gay 2006. Related: 6 thgs to do before your gay kid outTo protect himself and his reer, Bass beme "the shy one" the group, he relled.

"In 2006, Bass was enjoyg a night out at gay bar Provcetown, Massachetts, a popular vatn statn for the LGBTQ muny.

“I was wag on le for the bathroom and this guy regnized me and says, ‘You’re gay? “It was the first time I’d told a stranger I was gay and felt amazg. Related: Lance Bass shar how he me out to Brney SpearsAt that pot, only a few people, cludg Bass’s sister, Stacy, knew that he was gay.

LANCE BASS OUT OF CLOSET: BOY BAND MEMBER ADMS HE’S GAY

“She’s a teacher and she immediately started readg everythg about beg gay, ” Bass said. “It was a lot of ‘you n pray the gay away, ’” Bass said. Once she realized there was a lot of false rmatn out there, she started talkg to different pastors that accepted gay people.

Eight years ago, 2014, Diane spoke ont of her ngregatn about her journey as a Southern Baptist wh a gay child. “The miracle is that I learned to have unndnal love and passn for my son and others the gay muny.

“Not only has she accepted the fact that I’m gay, but she celebrat , " Bass said. Lance Bass' plan on how he would e out as gay to his 'N Sync band members didn't exactly go acrdg to plan. I have so many gay iends — I don't re.

LANCE BASS IS THE FIRST N'SYNC MEMBER TO ADM HE'S GAY

Bass spoke at length about his journey toward acceptg himself as a gay man after the band broke up 2002. I was gay, ” Bass told the crowd.

Rodriguez via Getty Imag“So many nights on stage, I’d see so many young, gay fans sgg their hearts out and I wanted so badly to let you know, I was you, ” Bass add. “If you me out, if anyone knew you were gay, was a disaster and people really flipped out. I felt like if anyone found out that I was gay, the rerd label would immediately drop and the fans would hate ― the were all the crazy thgs that went through my head as a teenager.

LANCE BASS SAYS HE HID SEXUALY FOR FEAR OF DOOMG 'NSYNC'S CAREERSGER, WHOSE TOBGRAPHY ME OUT TUDAY, REVEALS HE HAD PEOPLE CLOSE TO HIM SIGN NON-DISCLOSURE {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 ARCHIVE-CHRIS-HARRISOCTOBER 23, 2007/2:49 {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 ARCHIVE-CHRIS-HARRISOCTOBER 23, 2007 / 2:49 PM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"LANCE BASS SAYS HE HID SEXUALY FOR FEAR OF DOOMG 'NSYNC'S CAREER","THUMBNAILURL":","DATEPUBLISHED":"2007-10-23T18:49:40.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2007-10-23T18:49:40.000+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":"ARCHIVE-CHRIS-HARRIS","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;}FOR YEARS, CLUDG DURG THE HEIGHT OF 'NSYNC'S SUCCS, LANCE BASS LIVED NSTANT FEAR THAT A SECRET HE HAD BEEN SUPPRSG SCE CHILDHOOD WOULD EVENTUALLY E OUT -- AND WH VASTATG RULTS. BASS, WHO LAST YEAR [ARTICLE ID="1537155"]REVEALED HE IS GAY,[/ARTICLE] HAD PREVLY BEEN WORRIED THAT THE NEWS WOULD CRIPPLE HIS REER AND TARNISH 'NSYNC'S SQUEAKY-CLEAN {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 WAS PETRIFIED OF PEOPLE FDG OUT," HE TOLD MTV NEWS' JOHN NORRIS DURG A RECENT TERVIEW. "AT THE TIME, I THOUGHT WOULD BE THE END OF THE WORLD. NOW, HDSIGHT, I WISH I WOULD HAVE E OUT AT THAT TIME, BEE I WOULD'VE LOVED TO SEE WHAT THE REACTN WOULD HAVE BEEN."{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;}BEE OF HIS FEAR, BASS KEPT HIS SEXUALY PRIVATE. IN FACT, BASS WAS SO TIMORO ABOUT THE WORLD FDG OUT HE WAS GAY THAT HE HAD IENDS, EMPLOYE AND OTHERS CLOSE TO HIM SIGN NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENTS. BASS SAYS NOT EVEN HIS BT IENDS 'NSYNC KNEW HE WAS GAY, AND THAT HIS DAYS THE CLOSET WERE RIDDLED WH {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 WAS EMBARRASSED," SAID BASS, WHO IS CURRENTLY ACTG "HAIRSPRAY" ON BROADWAY AS PART OF A SIX-MONTH N. "THE EMBARRASSMENT WASN'T THAT I WAS GAY, WAS THAT, 'I'VE KNOWN YOU FOR THIS LONG, AND I HAVE BEEN HIDG THIS [SECRET] OM YOU.' I FELT LIKE I HAD TO LIE TO MY IENDS."{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 BAND'S PUBLICISTS, MANAGERS AND RERD LABEL SUGGTED THE MEMBERS NEVER BE SEEN WH WOMEN -- OR, FOR THAT MATTER, WH A CIGARETTE OR BEER THEIR HANDS. BUT NO ONE EVER EXPRSLY ADVISED BASS AGAST G OUT -- THAT'S BEE NO ONE KNEW, HE SAID. NOT LONG AFTER THE BAND'S REER TOOK OFF, HOWEVER, ONE CINT REAFFIRMED BASS' POSN THAT G CLEAN ULD CSH HIS DREAMS, THE SGER {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;}"THERE WERE MANY TIM, EARLY OUR REER, WHERE THERE WERE A LOT OF QUTNS ABOUT EVERYONE ELSE'S SEXUALY, SO WHEN YOU'RE TALKG WH THE OTHER GUYS, YOU SEE HOW THEY REALLY REACT," BASS SAID. "ONE TIME, WE QUTNED CHRIS [KIRKPATRICK], BEE HE HAD A GAY IEND, AND THE REACTN WAS WE'D BE DOOMED IF ANYONE KNEW ABOUT . THAT SET STRAIGHT MY HEAD THAT I WOULD NEVER BE ABLE TO TALK ABOUT OR TELL ANYONE, AND I WOULD JT 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;}EVEN AS HIS BANDMAT WOULD MAKE THE OCSNAL WISECRACK ABOUT GAY PEOPLE -- "THAT'S JT WHAT GUYS DO TO TABLISH THEIR MASCULY," HE SAID -- BASS KEPT QUIET AND "TRIED TO CUT OFF MY LIFE, THOSE FEELGS."{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;}BUT BASS ALSO SPECTS THERE WERE TIM WHEN HIS BANDMAT MIGHT HAVE WONRED IF HE WERE GAY: "WHEN YOU'RE BT IENDS WH SOMEONE AND YOU DON'T HAVE A GIRLIEND FOR FOUR YEARS, AND YOU'RE NOT SEEN WH ANYONE, YOU SORT OF START FIGURG OUT," HE {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 'NSYNC WENT ON HIAT BACK 2002, BASS -- WHO HAD BEEN TOLD THE BAND WOULD RETURN TO FORM FOLLOWG JT TIMBERLAKE'S STT AS A SOLO ARTIST -- STILL DIDN'T WANT TO E OUT. BUT LAST SUMMER, FOLLOWG NSIRABLE SPECULATN ABOUT BASS' SEXUALY THANKS TO NUMERO PAPARAZZI SNAPS OF HIM EQUENTG GAY CLUBS AND BARS, HE EMERGED OM THE CLOSET, WH A LTLE HELP OM PEOPLE MAGAZE. NOW BASS FEELS LIBERATED, HE {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 NEVER THOUGHT I'D BE TALKG ABOUT MY LIFE SUCH TIMATE TAIL WH ANYONE," HE SAID. "SO, WHEN I DID E OUT AND KD OF ACCEPTED , AND SHARED WH THE WORLD, AND SAW HOW [ARTICLE ID="1537282"]GREATLY WAS ACCEPTED,[/ARTICLE] AND HOW A LOT OF PEOPLE WERE RELATG TO THE STORI -- I'D HAVE PEOPLE E UP TO ME, TELLG ME, 'BEE OF WHAT YOU DID, I HAD THE URAGE TO E OUT TO MY FAY' -- WAS SUCH AN ENURAGG EXPERIENCE, I WANTED TO SHARE MY LIFE STORY WH OTHER PEOPLE, TO SEE IF ULD HELP OTHERS."{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 BASS IS TRYG TO DO JT THAT WH HIS NEW TELL-ALL BOOK, "OUT OF SYNC: A MEMOIR," WHICH H STOR TUDAY (OCTOBER 23). BEYOND CHARTG BASS' RISE TO FAME AS A MEMBER OF 'NSYNC, AS WELL AS THE BAND'S CLE, HIS CHILDHOOD, HIS EXPERIENC TRAG TO BE A SMONT RSIA, THE TOBGRAPHY CHRONICL HIS STGGLE TO KEEP HIS PERSONAL LIFE {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;}"IF [I HADN'T E OUT,] I MIGHT STILL BE MISERABLE AND HIDG THGS," HE {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;}BUT WHILE BASS IS HAPPY TO BE OUT OF THE CLOSET, THAT DON'T MEAN HE'S GOG TO START OUTG OTHERS, EVEN IF HIS BOOK'S PUBLISHER TRIED TO GET HIM TO DO {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 KNOW PLENTY OF PEOPLE THE DTRY THAT ARE THE CLOSET AND NOT WANTG TO SHARE THAT PERSONAL TAIL OF THEIR LIFE," HE EXPLAED. "AND I UNRSTAND THAT. IT'S A VERY SRY THG, PECIALLY WHEN NEW ARTISTS ARE ABOUT TO BREAK, OR ACTORS ARE TAKG STRAIGHT ROL -- YOU'RE AAID THE DIENCE WON'T BUY . THE PUBLISHER AND A LOT OF PEOPLE WANTED MORE DIRT [ MY BOOK], BEE NTROVERSY SELLS. TO ME, 'S NOT ABOUT SELLG A BOOK -- I JT WANTED TO SHARE MY STORY, WHOUT HURTG ANYONE'S FEELGS OR THROWG ANYONE UNR THE B. THERE'S LOTS OF THGS I ULD FELY SAY, AND POT THE FGER AT PEOPLE, BUT I WANTED THIS TO BE A POSIVE BOOK, AND MY LIFE UP TO NOW HAS BEEN VERY POSIVE. I'M HAPPY WH EVERY ASPECT OF MY LIFE, AND I DON'T WANT TO PLA ABOUT ANYTHG I'VE EVER DONE."{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 THE BOOK, BASS ALSO DISCS G OUT TO HIS FAY AND IENDS, AND THE REACTNS THEY HAD TO THE NEWS. IN ONE ANECDOTE, HE RELLS HOW BT IEND JOEY FATONE LEARNED HIS SECRET: HE ATTEND ONE OF BASS' HOE PARTI AND STUMBLED UPON HIS PAL STG A CLOSED ROOM WH HIS BOYIEND STG ACROSS HIS {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 WALKED , AND WAS LIKE, 'OH, SORRY,' AND WALKED OUT," BASS RELLED. "AND I WAS GOG, 'NO -- 'S OK, JOEY.' HE KNEW OM THAT MOMENT ON -- THAT WAS THE DAY I TOLD 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;}BASS SAID HE THKS PEOPLE WILL BE SURPRISED WHEN THEY READ HIS TOME, WHICH HE SAID ANSWERS A LOT OF QUTNS 'NSYNC FANS HAVE BEEN ASKG HIM FOR {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 FELY THK PEOPLE WILL BE SURPRISED AT A LOT OF THGS THE BOOK," HE SAID. "NO ONE HAS REALLY SEEN THE TE ME. I THK A LOT OF QUTNS WILL BE ANSWERED TO A LOT OF FANS, BEE I GET A LOT OF QUTNS EVERY DAY. THIS IS MY ANSWER TIME."{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 TOLD MTV NEWS HE HAS A NEW GOAL FOR NEXT YEAR: TO PROVE THAT YOU N BE OPENLY GAY AND STILL HAVE A REER SHOW {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;}"PEOPLE HAVE SAID FOR SO LONG THAT YOU N'T BE SUCCSFUL THIS DTRY AND BE OUT AND GAY, AND I THK THAT'S A BUNCH OF BULL," HE SAID. "IT'S NEVER BEEN TTED BEFORE. BUT I PLAN TO TT NEXT YEAR. I HAVE A SHOW THAT I AM VELOPG, WHICH WILL BE A MIC SHOW BASED AROUND OUT GAY AND BISEXUAL GUYS [WHO WILL E TOGETHER TO FORM A BOY BAND]. I WILL BE STG , AND SHOULD BE FUN. I WANT TO TT THAT THEORY OUT AND DO A CULTURAL EXPERIMENT, TO SEE IF WORKS."{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

Joey Fatone and Lance Bass brought their stunng athleticism to Battle of the Network Stars, and the two NSYNC stars relled the awkward moment that Fatone found out Bass was gay. In the 90s was a lot ls easy to be openly gay, pecially while the public eye, but lookg back, Bass might have changed a thg or two sayg, "If I was givg advice to my 16-year-old self, I would say, 'Go ahead and be yourself right now.

' I wish I would have realized that I was gay at such a young age and been able to be fortable wh , to tell everyone, bee my experience wh NSYNC, I thk, would have been pletely different.

DANIELLE FISHEL REVEALS WHICH NSYNC MEMBER TOLD HER LANCE BASS WAS GAY WHILE THEY WERE DATG

Lance Bass, the former ‘N Sync heartthrob, reveals that he is gay an exclive terview wh PEOPLE. “I knew that I was this popular band and 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, ” says Bass, referrg to bandmat Joey Fatone, Chris Kirkpatrick, JC Chasez and Jt Timberlake.

“He took years to really thk about how he was gog to tell everyone, ” says his close buddy Fatone, 29, who was the first ‘N Sync bandmate to fd out Bass is gay. He is a “very stable” relatnship wh mol-actor-Amazg Race wner Reichen Lehmkuhl, 32, and is velopg an Odd Couple-spired s pilot wh Fatone which his character will be gay.

LANCE BASS REVEALS ONGOG BATTLE WH DEPRSN & HOW *NSYNC REACTED TO HIM BEG GAY (EXCLIVE)

Is Yahoo Entertament's vio terview seri explorg the impact of show bs on the velopment and well-beg of former child entertaers, om triumphs to Bass knew he was gay when he was 5, but, as a teenager one of the biggt mic acts of the '90s, he kept quiet about . No one ever flat-out said, 'Listen, if you're gay, you n't do this, " Bass says.

LANCE BASS REVEALS WHY HE DIDN'T COME OUT AS GAY DURG *NSYNC

' So that always to me was kd of a backhand, like, 'Look, we know you're gay, keep a secret, kid. But people were already labelg him as "gay, " which they meant as a slur.

"Beg a boy band, I got lled gay every sgle day that I was the band.

LANCE BASS OF *NSYNC REVEALS HE'S GAY

And wasn't bee they actually thought I was gay, " Bass says.

' [They] uld not prehend why people red about beg gay and why would be so big you put you on the ver of People. "You know, one thg that I didn't have growg up was exampl of gay people, you know, pecially entertament. After years of speculatn, Lance Bass has nfirmed the mors and told People magaze that he is gay.