No
Privacy For Lance Bass At Gay Bar
 14
July 2006-Former *NSYNC Star Makes News On Massachusetts Vacation. How much
privacy should onetime *NSYNC star Lance Bass expect when he visits a prominent
gay bar with a prominent gay star?
On Wednesday, The New York
Post's Page Six column reported that Bass had been spotted with "Amazing Race"
star Reichen Lehmkuhl at Atlantic House, a gay bar in Provincetown, Mass.
Following the Post report, a blog on the
Washington Blade, a leading newspaper for the gay and lesbian community, said
that Bass had been outed.
Through his spokeswoman, Cindy Owen, Bass, 27,
declined to comment on the report.
Lehmkuhl's spokeswoman, Mara
Santino, also declined to comment on the Post report. Simply visiting a gay club
doesn't confirm that you are gay.
Historically, mainstream media have restrained
from exposing the sexual orientation of celebrities who have chosen to keep that
side of themselves personal. Some gay activists condemn the Post and other media
outlets for speculating about Bass' sexual orientation.
"Coming out is a personal, private decision
that needs to be made by the individual," said Damon Romine, entertainment media
director of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. "Media speculation
about people's sexual orientation is not something we support."
Mass Speculation -- Not Necessarily Truth
Blade is a newspaper that takes a more
aggressive approach outing celebrities.
Its reporters expose celebrities they believe
are in the closet and are hypocritical for not publicly revealing their sexual
orientation.
"Perhaps the Post is not outright saying Lance
is gay. But by implication, we can all easily connect the dots," said Kevin
Naff, managing editor of the Washington Blade.
In his "Blade Blog" entry "Bye, Bye, Bye to
the Closet," Naff questioned why Bass had allegedly continued to deny his
sexuality while otherwise living what he described as an "openly closeted" gay
lifestyle, comparing it to what Rosie O'Donnell and Ellen DeGeneres had done for
several years before they publicly came out.
Over the July Fourth holiday, Naff wrote in
his blog that Bass reportedly had made "the gay party rounds," appearing with
Lehmkuhl at several prominent gay Provincetown parties.
His whereabouts were also noted by "gay
bloggers" Andy Towle and Cyd Zeigler, Naff wrote. Bass, Naff wrote, "tried
lamely to disguise himself with a hat" during his vacation.
"Unfortunately for Bass, it wasn't big enough
to fool the New York Post," Naff wrote, adding that it was the most media
exposure Bass had received since "his odd and ill-fated attempt at space
exploration."
Lehmkuhl and Bass have been spotted together
several times in the last few months.
Lehmkuhl became a prominent gay celebrity in
2003, after winning the $1 million prize for "The Amazing Race 4" with his
former lover, Chip Arndt.
He has since appeared on "Fear Factor" and
other reality TV shows, while hosting a talk show on Q Television, a now-defunct
cable network for the gay and lesbian community.
Other mainstream media have been reporting on
Bass-Lehmkuhl spottings.
On Monday, The New York Daily News noted that
online gossip maven Perez Hilton had photographic evidence that suggested Bass
and Lehmkuhl were sharing each other's clothing.
It doesn't seem like the quest to out Bass
will stop anytime soon -- even if the reports are wrong.
"If privacy is what Lance wants, that's
something that's easy to have," Naff said. "But if you're Lance Bass, and you're
going to the gayest town on the gayest day of the year and going to gay parties,
you have to expect something."
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