*NSync Star Lance Bass Comes Out

Lance Bass captured the hearts of teenage girls (and some boys) as the bass vocalist of former boy group *NSync. In 2002, Bass continued to make headlines when he failed to come up with $20 million to become the third space tourist in the Russian space mission program. This month in People magazine, Lance Bass made another surprising (though not-so-shocking) announcement- he's gay. "I knew that I was in this popular band and I had four other guys' careers in my hand, and I knew that if I ever acted on it or even said [that I was gay], it would overpower everything," Bass told People. Rumors of Bass' homosexuality and his relationship with gay Amazing Race winner Reichen Lehmkuhl began circulating after a New York Post Page Six report that he and Lehmkuhl were seen at a gay bar in Provincetown, Mass. called the Atlantic House. In the People exclusive Lance confirmed that he is indeed gay and in a happy relationship with Lehmkuhl.

Despite the exclusive, the former pop star continues to be a role model for young people. He told the magazine, "The thing is, I'm not ashamed- that's the one thing I want to say. 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."

Queer Celebrities:

• *NSync Star Lance Bass
• Out Actor Chad Allen
• Former MLB Star Billy Bean
• Boyzone Star Stephen Gately

Gay Rumor-Busters:

• Oprah Not Gay

Coming Out Resources:

• Coming Out, What Does it Mean?
• When Should I Come Out?
• Coming Out Step-by-Step

_{Image courtesy of John Hartley.}