A little over a year ago, Martina Navratilova wrote a letter to People Magazine applauding their recent cover boy Lance Bass for coming out publicly. At the time, Bass sais he didn't see himself becoming an activist and Martina let him know that it just might happen anyway.
And it seems as it is has.
Lance has written a guest commentary for the Human Rights Campaign called "Now Is the Time" offering his take on why our next President must make gay marriage and gay rights a priority.
Here are some excerpts::

"There are so many important issues at stake in this election, it’s difficult to pinpoint just one that’s the most important to me. I am very concerned about the environment, the ongoing war in Iraq, health care (especially the future of stem cell research) and many other domestic issues.
However, since the upcoming Democratic debate will focus on LGBT issues, I’d like to discuss my feelings on why gay marriage is an important issue to me and why I think it should be supported by all the Democratic candidates.
My main fear is for the LGBT youth in America and around the world who, for one reason or another aren’t able to cope or can’t escape their prejudice cities, towns and communities. I often wonder how many teens have committed suicide because they’re struggling with their sexuality and feel the incredible weight of the shame their community puts on homosexuality? I am hoping in this election we have Democratic candidates who feel as passionately about this issue as I do.
By not supporting gay marriage we are teaching our youth that gays aren’t equal to straight people. We are teaching them that what they feel is wrong. What a terrible message to send to impressionable children and potentially devastating message to all the LGBT youth who may be living in an isolated environment struggling with being gay and feeling they have no hope and no one to turn to."

Earlier post: Martina's Supportive Words for Lance...