04/18/2008
Lance Bass on 'Day of Silence': I'm Going to Use My Voice
Lance Bass has recorded a PSA to raise awareness about the 11th annual Day of Silence one week from today on April 25, when students across the nation will take a vow of silence to protest bullying, harassment and discrimination in schools.
This year's 'Day of Silence' is dedicated to the memory of Lawrence King.
Says Bass in the PSA, for GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network): "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."
AFTER THE JUMP, watch a short segment about the making of the PSA in which Bass talks about his life in the closet with N'Sync and why he's speaking out.
Posted 8:00 AM EST by Andy in Bullying, GLSEN, Lance Bass, Lawrence King, News | Permalink
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This is a good video. It's great that Lance is a GLBT advocate now that he's a professional gay "celeb" with nothing to lose, although it would've been so much more powerful if he hadn't been the silent one when he was at the height of his popularity with NSync. His message could’ve been so much more instrumental in the GLBT struggle.
Maybe it’s me but I just find it hard to ignore the hypocrisy of gay celebs like Lance or McGreevey who hide when it's personally, professionally and financially convenient-- and then "come out" when they can't anymore and suddenly pretend like they've always been beacons of gay pride and activism. It also feels like it's more about selfish self-interest and notoriety rather than philanthropy.
And before the queens here start their personal attacks for me daring to speak my mind and ask “WHAT HAVE YOU DONE????, please know I have organized and supervised the Day of Silence and diversity training for staff at the high school where I work for years now--long before it was "fashionable". And doing battle with The Eagle Forum and other right-wing nut job community groups is not much fun after teaching teenagers all day. I have spent many long days supervising Gay-Straight Alliance meetings and activity groups and even got my car vandalized because of my involvement. So if you are going to say I haven’t sacrificed or been involved where it really matters you are completely wrong.
I do find it weird how the gay community really doesn't have much interest in the GLBT teen struggle. Our local gay newspapers never even covered the Day of Silence or the surrounding community controversies. I guess if we could find a way for local gay business queens to get a fabulous gay gala and photo op--or turn it into a twink hot body contest there might be some interest. Somehow that only seems to happen when some gay cutie gets killed and then everyone's down for getting involved and "doing their part" by attending glitzy gay fundraisers--or looking somber at some high-profile memorial.
But regardless of these realities I have no problem with going back to the thankless front lines. It may not be “FABULOUS”, but at least I know I'm fighting the good fight for GLBT youth down in the trenches-- regardless of the risk and perssonal, professional and financial sacrifice.
Posted by: James | Apr 18, 2008 8:48:48 AM
I'm curious, James, why are we "queens" for questioning your position? You have your opinions and I support your rights to air your views in this forum Andy has provided but why is there this trend lately for gays to bash other gays for having a different point of view?
The one event we as a community share is our own "unique" coming out stories. Not all of us were raised to be comfortable with our sexualities from the beginning. It's a journey of exploration and, hopefully for most of us, self-acceptance.
I guess what I'm trying to say is what does it matter the how and why that brings each of us to this incredible place in time? What should matter is the here and now. Mr. Bass is using his story and his celebrity, for lack of a better word, to bring awareness to a very real issue faced by LGBT youth EVERY SINGLE DAY and for that alone I applaud him.
Posted by: JerzeeMike | Apr 18, 2008 9:36:54 AM
Good PSA, but am I the only one who has a philosophical problem with the Day of Silence concept? I mean, gay kids in schools all over the country probably feel they have no choice but to keep "silent" already--that is, staying in the closet and trying to pass by dating opposite-sex friends. It doesn't help that the magazine that is *supposed* to present the most serious gay-related journalism in the country, The Advocate, just published a ludicrous article that basically blamed King's murder on King himself by saying that he should have known better than to go to school "dress[ing] as he pleased and liv[ing] as the person he wanted to be.” I get that the "silence" is sort of metaphorical, but wouldn't a "National Day of Discussion" be better for everyone?
Posted by: Thomasina | Apr 18, 2008 9:39:21 AM
I'm curious, James, why are we "queens" for questioning your position?
I didn't mean that term in a negative way. I was just referring to the guys on this site who personally attack you if you happened to post anything contrary to the gay status quo--especially if the person in question happens to be "hot" and/or a celebrity. Some men seem to view any criticism of gay individuals as jealousy, mainstream oppression, or internalized homophobia--even when it's not.
I apologize if my use of the word queen was viewed as an insult because it wasn't meant that way.
Posted by: James | Apr 18, 2008 9:51:41 AM
Thank you, James, for clearing that up for me and showing class by not "flaming" someone else's opinion, that shows real class.
I'd also like to take the opportunity to applaud you as well for the important work you are doing to raise awareness with LGBT teen. I agree with you 100% that the gay community is indeed guy-shy when it comes to working with teens because of the perception by some that we are somehow recruiting impressionable kids into some homosexual agenda. Bravo, James, well done.
Posted by: JerzeeMike | Apr 18, 2008 10:01:36 AM
I get that the "silence" is sort of metaphorical, but wouldn't a "National Day of Discussion" be better for everyone?
Yes--but many still view being gay as merely a chosen sexual behavior--not an orientation or identity. And most parents don't want their kids to be gay so giving that an official school format or talking about it can put schools in some pretty hot water and open them up to criticism and liability. School districts stay FAR away from anything that will get them sued and always err on the side of caution.
A few years back--right after Colombine--a motivational speaker came to our school and did a presentation on bullying and tolerance. During his routine he became different characters to illustrate the point of what certain kids go through when they are mistreated because they are different. One of these personas he incarnated happened to be a gay football QB who is gay and is afraid to come out. It was just mentioned and then he was on to the next character. Well, right wing parents sued the school district because they weren't notified about the content of the presentation and had not signed a permission slip. According to them if had they known that there would be content that "endorsed homosexuality" they would've never allowed their children to see the presentation. They won a settlement from the school district.
Posted by: James | Apr 18, 2008 10:11:26 AM
Thanks JerzeeMike--I appreciate it. Sometimes I think I'm just deluding myself and that it would be better for me to do like most gay men and focus all my energy on being young, hot, fabulous and popular. At least then I'd have some value, relevance and importance as a member of the gay community. Working with gay youth after school definitely cuts into my gym routine! :) However, I know I could never force myself to be that vapid, and know that my contribution the past few years ultimately has more value than having washboard abs or being the belle of the gay ball.
Posted by: James | Apr 18, 2008 10:47:04 AM
Oh James! You almost made it! You almost convinced me that you were doing the work you are doing to be altruistic. But then you went right back to that, "Working with gay youth after school definitely cuts into my gym routine! :) However, I know I could never force myself to be that vapid, and know that my contribution the past few years ultimately has more value than having washboard abs or being the belle of the gay ball." Mindset that you keep falling into.
I applaud anyone who can and will work with GLBT youth, I wish, in my youth, anyone would have reached out to tell me I wasn't crazy. Alas, they were nowhere to be found.
But I hope the message you're sending these kids is more positive than what you keep projecting here.
I'm 50, I am not vapid, and yet I go to the gym AND the occasional fundraiser. hmmm why do I feel dissed?
Don't tell the kids that the only way to be worthwhile is to be mean-spirited and condescending. (and all this talk of vapidness says that's what you really think of most gay people) It teaches them to hate themselves, and we all know they can learn that without our help.
Teach them that whatever they choose to do is worthwhile, and any contribution to the furtherance of GLBT rights is worthy.
Then you'll be helping. Maybe them and yourself.
Posted by: Sean | Apr 18, 2008 11:41:59 AM
Regarding the on-going trashing of Lance Bass, guys let up! When Lance was in the group, he had a responsibility to his business partners, i.e. the other members of the group to remain quiet in case his coming out would negatively effect the entire group. He also was quite young when they were together and it takes a LOT to come out for some people. Who says Lance had a duty to come out? Only Lance could determine that as none of you were in his shoes. As for gay teens, you are wrong James, very wrong. Many of us care deeply about gay teens. One of my books has saved the lives of three gay teens,that we know about, who were going to commit suicide but didn't after reading my first book. If that book had only sold three copies, I would be thankful to no end that those three copies were bought by those kids. I would love to be able to work with gay teens today as an Archbishop and have the members of the Order to do so as well. The simple fact is we can't. We are Old Catholic, the liberal branch of the Catholic Church and because of the Roman sex abuse scandal, we don't dare work with ANY youth at all. Our lawyers tell us there is far to much risk of being sued and criminally accused of molestation simply because we are catholic clergy. By the way, the Old Catholics are celibacy optional. It breaks my heart, but that is the reality of the situation. I try and reach kids though my writing which is safe for me. And yes, I have to play it safe as I order my clergy to play it. So, James, don't throw down a blanket "no one cares or works for gay youth unless it's a twink contest," nonsense because you paint yourself a fool.
Posted by: Archbishop Bruce J. Simpson | Apr 18, 2008 1:04:52 PM
I found smacking someone upside the head with my purse with a can of green giant green beans in them have been more effective. This fag bashes back.
Posted by: Pinky Bear | Apr 18, 2008 1:33:25 PM
My Dear Archbishop:
Huh?
I just re-read all the comments about this post and not one trashes Lance Bass. Methinks you need to abstain from the holy wine goblet a bit there rev.
Posted by: Sean | Apr 18, 2008 1:33:39 PM
My GSA club at school (high school) is participating in this. So few people at school besides the people in GSA even knew about the Lawrence King incident at all. And it sickens me. So I think this will be a really productive Day of Silence.
The problem is that I can't shut up for 5 minutes, so it will be a tough day for me. But probably a lovely day for my friends (their ears get a rest).
Posted by: MATEO 18 | Apr 18, 2008 9:16:18 PM
from the mouths of babes...
don't the rest of us feel a little silly right now.
Posted by: Sean | Apr 18, 2008 10:42:29 PM
No--what I do I do for altruistic reasons.
Working with GLBT youth is something I do because I truly care about my students. I wish I'd had someone to guide me so that I wouldn't have had to learn so many painful lessons the hard way. The gay world can be a fun and exciting place, but sometimes it can be dangerous at times and lead to self-destructive behavior. If being pragmatic with students about the realities of the gay world and some of its trappings makes me "mean-spirited and condescending" that so be it.
I also think you failed the read is that I said that I DO go to the gym and think looking and feeling good is a postive thing. I've also been to fundraisers and so I don't think either defines anyone as vapid. What I was attempting to say was that working out and being fabulous could be the only thing I care about but I find that to be a very superficial and limited existence. Maybe I've had bad luck but a large percentage of men in the gay scene I've come in contact with seem to operate within a very limited scope in regard to how they value themselves and others--which makes for a vicious cycle. I teach my students the importance of defining themselves on more than just their their looks, sexual attractiveness, and the other superificial materialistic elements that many of us in our community use to value (or devalue)each other. This is not exclusive to our community, but it is still a reality in mainstream gay culture. Hopefully by doing so they can hold their own when they are thrust into a social scene that makes them question how they determine their value as individuals. Many young gay men look to the gay scene as a way of defining themselves and that's not always the healthiest place to do so. So you can dimiss me as being a "hater" or homophobic, but if giving my students information that leads to a strong self-concept and healthier life choices in the future then I can live with that.
Posted by: James | Apr 18, 2008 11:25:28 PM
And yet you still manage to ignore the astute comment from Mateo and make this about you.
'nuf said.
Posted by: Sean | Apr 20, 2008 2:57:16 PM
Yeah, well I don't need to comment on him. What he said is normal among most students--The Day of Silence at least gets them thinking and creates a sense of solidarity and self-awareness among kids his age. Just knowing they have so many non-gay allies is huge. What did you expect, a teenage Norma Rae?
In regard to your continuing attack on me, I have no problem spending five minutes explaining my position on a blog because I know I contribute and make a big difference and sacrifice elsewhere. Obviously something about that reality gets to you, otherwise you'd focus on the positive aspects of the work rather than continue to make hostile posts that try to twist what I have said and make it look like a personal attack or a vanity piece. If anything you are the one making it all about you by continuing to hate on me and paint me as the enemy, dredging my posts and looking for any reason to diminish and dismiss me and what I have tried to accomplish with GLBT youth in past years.
But that's OK--it's actually inspiring. Aside from all the wonderful and fun things out there waiting for gay youth, they also need to know that this kind of ugly behavior and hateful animosity still exists in our community--especially if you step outside the box or challenge the status quo. So despite all your protests to the contrary in a roundabout way you have actually managed to prove that I am right and that I still have work to do.
Thanks for doing your part!
Posted by: James | Apr 21, 2008 12:14:40 AM
'Nuf said?
Posted by: James | Apr 21, 2008 12:17:56 AM