Zac Efron refuses to "live in fear" about rumors that he is gay.

The 24-year-old actor - who has previously dated Vanessa Hudgens and Lily Collins - is happy to embrace his gay fanbase and does not worry if people question his own sexuality in the process.

"It's very flattering. After High School Musical and Hairspray, I've always felt embraced by the gay community, and I feel incredibly grateful. I don't like to live in fear about things like rumours and backlash to begin with - that's the way I was raised - but I just can't see what's so wrong about being gay."

Zac also supports gay marriage, because he believes it is important all people who are around him are allowed to be happy. "It's an issue that affects so many people in my life -- a lot of my close friends and some of the most influential people around me. I just want them all to be happy. It would make me so happy to see them able to live their lives and do what they want to do," he told Advocate.