Pop singer Lance Bass and husband Michael Turchin are marking their 10th wedding anniversary ― and a decade since marriage equality became the law of the land in the U.S. ― on a bittersweet note.
The two men grace the cover of Love Inc. magazine’s latest issue, released this week ahead of LGBTQ+ Pride Month in June. In the accompanying interview, the couple reflect on their December 2014 nuptials, which were televised in an E! special that aired about two months later. It was the first same-sex wedding to be televised on a major TV network.
“At first, we did not want to do it at all. We were like, reality TV ... it’s the kiss of death,” recalled Turchin, an actor and visual artist. “And then we realized there’s a bigger purpose. It’s not about us; it’s about showing this.”
Added Bass: “It has been a fight to have equality for everyone else, and being a public figure—a gay public figure—it was important for us to share our message of love. Usually, we’re pretty private people, but we knew that we wanted everyone to see our relationship. You really don’t change your opinion until you know a gay person.”
Though marriage equality was legalized nationwide just months after their wedding, both Bass and Turchin say they are deeply concerned about a rollback of LGBTQ+ rights under President Donald Trump. As a result, the couple have begun hiding the faces of their 3-year-old twins, Alexander and Violet, on social media.
