Lance Bass has made a PSA for the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) to mark the 11th annual National Day of Silence on April 25.
- Apr 18, 2008
AceShowbiz - With the 11th annual National Day of Silence is approaching, Lance Bass is getting himself ready to mark the day, when students take a vow of silence to protest bullying, harassment and discrimination in schools. The openly gay singer has made a public service announcement (PSA) for the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN).
"I think it's time for me to stand up ... and help educate, because I'm lucky enough to have been given a voice to be able to talk and grab the attention of people," Bass said about him taking part in the effort. "Everyday, thousands of students are silenced. They're silenced by fear, they're silenced for being who they are ... They're brothers, they're sisters, they're gay, they're straight, they're you, they're me."
The PSA, as stated by Bass, is meant to honor Lawrence King, a 15-year-old student who was shot in the head at his Oxnard, California, junior high school back on February 12 reportedly for being a homosexual. "I heard about Lawrence on the news, and it was just incredible to me that kids that age that would have such an issue ... with the subject of being gay," Bass said further, adding that "It also shows me that these kids don't - they don't learn (bigotry) on their own. ... They're being told by older siblings or family members or other fellow students."
Bass first came out of the closet and publicly confirmed that he was gay in July 2006. Opened up about his sex orientation, he told People he's gay and in a "very stable" relationship with actor Reichen Lehmkuhl, winner of season four of CBS' "Amazing Race".
Bass isn't the one and only Hollywood star takes part paying tribute to King. Actress Portia de Rossi and her same-sex partner Ellen DeGeneres are among those who've been outspoken to stop hate towards gays by signing to star in public service announcement TV ad.
Bass' PSA will be distributed virally Friday, April 18 to mark the 11th annual National Day of Silence on April 25.
