Lance Bass is urging Americans to embrace equality on Independence Day.
The former ’N Sync star revealed he was gay in 2006 in a cover story for People magazine and became engaged to Michael Turchin in September last year.
And he took the opportunity on Friday to speak out about gay rights as his fellow US citizens were celebrating the country’s most patriotic day.
Quoting a phrase from the Declaration of Independence, Lance tweeted: “‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men were created EQUAL’ Happy Independence Day everyone!”
The message follows just two weeks after Lance confirmed plans to share his marriage on television as states continue to grapple with the legalisation of gay marriage.
“We're filming it for an E! wedding special. It will probably air around Valentine's Day so it has to be before Valentine's Day I know that,” he told Gay Star News. “Never in my lifetime did I think that I'd be able to get married legally. It's just amazing how fast everything is going right now and I'm just honoured to be able to share my wedding with the world.”
The star hopes speaking out will help others struggling with their sexuality.
“Growing up in the South, all you think about is family and who you were going to marry. At that time, of course, I was kidding myself that I was going to marry a girl and I always dreamed of that wedding and starting a family,” he explained.
“As a little gay kid growing up in Mississippi, I would have loved to have turned on the television and see that happen and say, "‘Oh my gosh, there's nothing wrong with me and I can have that.’”
