Lance Bass wants the youth of America to get in sync with sexual tolerance.
The erstwhile 'N Syncer has filmed a public service announcement for the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network to urge students to stop the bullying, harassment and discrimination occurring in schools.
The PSA, which began its viral distribution earlier today, was made in support of the 11th annual National Day of Silence. Taking place April 25, the event commemorates those lost to anti-gay violence and encourages students throughout the country to take a vow of silence in protest of the intolerant among them.
"Everyday, thousands of students are silenced," Bass says in the spot. "They're silenced by fear, they're silenced for being who they are.
"They're friends, they're classmates, they're brothers, they're sisters, they're gay, they're straight, they're you, they're me."
Hundreds of thousands of students are expected to participate in the Day of Silence, this year dedicated to the memory of 15-year-old Lawrence King, a student from Oxnard, Calif., who in February was shot and killed while sitting in class after showing up at school in feminine attire.
"Whoever they are, whatever their backgrounds or beliefs, these students will take action because they believe that the bullying and harassment must end," Bass says in the PSA. "What are you going to do to end the silence?"
Bass himself revealed his sexuality back in 2006 and soon after published a memoir detailing his own struggle to come out of the closet, particularly during the heady days of 'N Sync's global success.
As for his involvement in the Day of Silence, Bass said he decided to participate after learning of the King incident.
"I heard about Lawrence on the news, and it was just incredible to me that kids that age would have such an issue...with the subject of being gay," he told the Associated Press. "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."
As for the looking back at his own reluctance to be open from the get-go, Bass told the wire service he regrets not doing so sooner.
"I think it would have been fine...I think it would have been great to be able to come out at the height of like the 'N Sync heyday—I think it could have helped a lot of people."