Bass coins new term for enforced coming out

Former 'N Sync star Lance Bass has inspired a new term for gay celebrities who are outed by members of the media. They're being "lanced".

Bass' boyfriend, reality star Reichen Lehmkuhl, says the term was coined after Bass revealed earlier this year that he is gay.

Last week former Doogie Howser MD star Neil Patrick Harris was forced to admit he was gay after internet media reports speculated on his sexuality.

Lehmkuhl explains Harris' recent predicament, saying: "It's to be outed by someone in the public media and to be a celebrity, and Neil Patrick Harris, I understand, has been 'lanced'."

Bass disclosed his sexuality in July, and said he decided to "speak my mind" because rumours surrounding his sexuality were starting to affect his daily life.

He also announced at the time that he was in a stable relationship with Lehmkuhl, a former Air Force captain and winner of season four of CBS' reality competition Amazing Race.

Lehmkuhl adds: "People should be able to come out on their own. I don't know so much that it helps gay equality if a celebrity is outed by someone else and it shows that they're forced out.

"It just seems like it just continues the vilification of homosexuality in the media in this country."