One Directn’s Liam Payne opens up about booze, gay mours – POP GOES THE NEWS

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• CMT CELEBRAT PRI, COUNTRY MIC’S LGBTQ+ COMMUNYCMT TO STREAM CONCERT FOR LOVE & ACCEPTANCEBY CRAIG SHELBURNEJUNE 24, 2020/11:00 {HEIGHT:HER;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;POSN:RELATIVE;-WEBK-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-MS-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-WEBK-ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-ALIGN:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-ALIGN:CENTER;ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-WEBK-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;-MS-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;} IMG{HEIGHT:100%;WIDTH:100%;OBJECT-F:VER;}{HEIGHT:600PX;WIDTH:1000PX;}BY CRAIG SHELBURNEJUNE 24, 2020 / 11:00 AM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"CMT CELEBRAT PRI, COUNTRY MIC’S LGBTQ+ COMMUNY","THUMBNAILURL":","DATEPUBLISHED":"2020-06-24T15:00:26.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2020-06-24T15:00:26.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"CMT"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"CMT","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080}},"CREATOR":"CRAIG SHELBURNE"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}EDOR'S NOTE: ON JUNE 30, CMT WILL STREAM THE CONCERT FOR LOVE & ACCEPTANCE, HOSTED BY CODY ALAN, KRIST CHENOWETH, AND TY HERNDON. THE STREAM WILL BEG AT 7 PM ET/6 PM {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IF YOU'RE CUR ABOUT UNTRY MIC'S GAY PRENCE, LOOK BEHD THE SCEN, WHERE MULTIPLE MANAGERS, EXECUTIV AND SONGWRERS REPRENT THE LGBTQ+ MUNY WH PRI. WHILE THERE HASN'T YET BEEN A UNTRY ARTIST TO E OUT WHILE STILL ON THE CHARTS, GAY AND LBIAN PERFORMERS HAVE ALREADY BEEN PART OF THE FABRIC OF UNTRY MIC FOR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;} .TWTER-TWEET-RENRED, {M-WIDTH:65%;WIDTH:TO !IMPORTANT;} {WIDTH:100%;} {MARG-LEFT:TO !IMPORTANT;MARG-RIGHT:TO !IMPORTANT;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;WIDTH:100%;} > IAME{BORR:NONE;MAX-WIDTH:100%;} > *{MAX-WIDTH:NONE !IMPORTANT;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ONE OF THE MOST PROMIMENT MIC ROW FIGUR RIGHT NOW IS SHANE MCANALLY, WHO ATTEMPTED A REER AS A RERDG ARTIST WHILE CLOSETED. BUT AS A SONGWRER AND PRODUCER, HIS REER HAS EXPLOD THANKS TO HIS WORK WH MIDLAND, KACEY MGRAV, AND OLD DOMN. HE'S GAED A PROFILE BEYOND NASHVILLE AS WELL DUE TO HIS VOLVEMENT WH THE NBC SERI, {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HIS EARLIT CUTS CLU LEE ANN WOMACK'S "LAST CALL" AND KENNY CHNEY'S "COME OVER." HE'S ALSO THE REIGNG ACM SONGWRER OF THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;POSN:RELATIVE;PADDG-BOTTOM:56.49999999999999%;} .TWTER-TWEET-RENRED, {M-WIDTH:65%;WIDTH:TO !IMPORTANT;} {WIDTH:100%;} {MARG-LEFT:TO !IMPORTANT;MARG-RIGHT:TO !IMPORTANT;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;WIDTH:100%;} > IAME{BORR:NONE;MAX-WIDTH:100%;} > *{MAX-WIDTH:NONE !IMPORTANT;POSN:ABSOLUTE;HEIGHT:100% !IMPORTANT;WIDTH:100% !IMPORTANT;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MCANALLY -WROTE THE AWARD-WNG "FOLLOW YOUR ARROW" WH KACEY MGRAV, WHO RERD , AND GOOD IEND BRANDY CLARK, WHO IS ALSO PART OF THE LGBTQ+ MUNY. CLARK'S NEWT ALBUM, YOUR LIFE IS A RERD, DIV TO THE EMOTNS THAT E WH THE END OF A RELATNSHIP -- SOMETHG THAT ANY LISTENER N RELATE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THOUGH SHE'S JTIFIABLY CELEBRATED FOR QUIRKY SONGS LIKE "STRIP," SHE ALSO POSSS THE ABILY TO CRAFT A MAJOR H, SUCH AS THE BAND PERRY'S "BETTER DIG TWO" AND MIRANDA LAMBERT'S "MAMA'S BROKEN HEART." CLARK'S OWN HEARTACHE SONG, "CAN WE BE STRANGERS AGA," SHOWS HER GIFT FOR WORDPLAY, AS SAD AS THE LYRICS MAY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;POSN:RELATIVE;PADDG-BOTTOM:56.49999999999999%;} .TWTER-TWEET-RENRED, {M-WIDTH:65%;WIDTH:TO !IMPORTANT;} {WIDTH:100%;} {MARG-LEFT:TO !IMPORTANT;MARG-RIGHT:TO !IMPORTANT;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;WIDTH:100%;} > IAME{BORR:NONE;MAX-WIDTH:100%;} > *{MAX-WIDTH:NONE !IMPORTANT;POSN:ABSOLUTE;HEIGHT:100% !IMPORTANT;WIDTH:100% !IMPORTANT;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FOR FANS OF '90S UNTRY, TY HERNDON AND CHELY WRIGHT ARE FAIAR NAM. WRIGHT SECURED A NO. 1 H 1999 WH "SGLE WHE FEMALE" AND NTU TO RERD PENNTLY. SHE ME OUT AS A LBIAN HER 2010 MEMOIR, LIKE ME. SHE ALSO RETURNED TO THE OPRY STAGE LAST YEAR AFTER A NE-YEAR ABSENCE. MEANWHILE, THIS YEAR MARKS THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF HERNDON'S SOARG NO. 1 H, "WHAT MATTERED MOST," WHICH HE RE-RERD WH UPDATED LYRICS: "HIS EY WERE BLUE, HIS HAIR WAS LONG..."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;POSN:RELATIVE;PADDG-BOTTOM:56.49999999999999%;} .TWTER-TWEET-RENRED, {M-WIDTH:65%;WIDTH:TO !IMPORTANT;} {WIDTH:100%;} {MARG-LEFT:TO !IMPORTANT;MARG-RIGHT:TO !IMPORTANT;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;WIDTH:100%;} > IAME{BORR:NONE;MAX-WIDTH:100%;} > *{MAX-WIDTH:NONE !IMPORTANT;POSN:ABSOLUTE;HEIGHT:100% !IMPORTANT;WIDTH:100% !IMPORTANT;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ON THE SAME DAY 2014 THAT TY HERNDON ME OUT AS GAY, SO DID HIS IEND BILLY GILMAN. A PLATUM-SELLG ARTIST AS A KID, GILMAN LATER PETED ON THE VOICE. LISTENERS OM THAT ERA MAY ALSO REMEMBER GAY-IENDLY ANTHEMS SUCH AS GARTH BROOKS' "WE SHALL BE FREE," AS WELL AS SENSIVE BALLADS LIKE DOLLY PARTON'S "FAY," WHICH HAD THE LYRIC, "SOME ARE PREACHERS, SOME ARE GAY..." PARTON LATER LAND AN OSR NOMATN FOR WRG "TRAVEL' TH" OM THE FILM TRANSAMERI, WHICH FEATURED A TRANSGENR CHARACTER THE LEAD {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;POSN:RELATIVE;PADDG-BOTTOM:75%;} .TWTER-TWEET-RENRED, {M-WIDTH:65%;WIDTH:TO !IMPORTANT;} {WIDTH:100%;} {MARG-LEFT:TO !IMPORTANT;MARG-RIGHT:TO !IMPORTANT;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;WIDTH:100%;} > IAME{BORR:NONE;MAX-WIDTH:100%;} > *{MAX-WIDTH:NONE !IMPORTANT;POSN:ABSOLUTE;HEIGHT:100% !IMPORTANT;WIDTH:100% !IMPORTANT;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BRANDI CARLILE HAS BEEN PART OF THE GREATER UNTRY MIC FAY FOR LONG TIME NOW. GROWG UP, SHE OFTEN SAYS, SHE NSIRED NASHVILLE AS "THE MOTHERSHIP." HER SKILL AT WRG A CLASSIC UNTRY SONG (WH A TWIST) SH THROUGH "IF SHE EVER LEAV ME," OM THE HIGHWOMEN'S SELF-TLED BUT LAST YEAR. CARLILE WON A GRAMMY THIS YEAR AS A -WRER OF TANYA TUCKER'S SOMBER BALLAD, "BRG MY FLOWERS NOW." SHE APPEARS ON THE VIO, PLAYG {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;POSN:RELATIVE;PADDG-BOTTOM:56.49999999999999%;} .TWTER-TWEET-RENRED, {M-WIDTH:65%;WIDTH:TO !IMPORTANT;} {WIDTH:100%;} {MARG-LEFT:TO !IMPORTANT;MARG-RIGHT:TO !IMPORTANT;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;WIDTH:100%;} > IAME{BORR:NONE;MAX-WIDTH:100%;} > *{MAX-WIDTH:NONE !IMPORTANT;POSN:ABSOLUTE;HEIGHT:100% !IMPORTANT;WIDTH:100% !IMPORTANT;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}TUCKER AND CARLILE ARE AMONG THE MOST PROMENT MEMBERS OF THE AMERINA AND ROOTS MUNY, WHICH HAS E TO CLU AN CREASG NUMBER OF LGBTQ+ ARTISTS, SUCH AS MERCY BELL, S.G. GOODMAN, KATIE PT, AND JAIME WYATT. ALL FOUR OF THE WOMEN RPORATE THEIR QUEER PERSPECTIV TO THEIR SONGWRG, THOUGH THEIR MIL DIRECTNS SHOW THEIR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AN UNEXPECTED FIGURE THE ROOTS SCENE IS TRIXIE MATTEL, A DRAG PERFORMER WHO WR FOLK-UNTRY SONGS AND PLAYS TOHARP (AND ALSO WON RUPL'S DRAG RACE). THERE'S ALSO A MYSTER FIGURE NAMED ORVILLE PECK, WHOSE MIC ASSUM A DRAMATIC WTERN FLAIR, AND WHOSE FACE AND INTY ARE OBSCURED BY A GED MASK AND WBOY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;POSN:RELATIVE;PADDG-BOTTOM:56.49999999999999%;} .TWTER-TWEET-RENRED, {M-WIDTH:65%;WIDTH:TO !IMPORTANT;} {WIDTH:100%;} {MARG-LEFT:TO !IMPORTANT;MARG-RIGHT:TO !IMPORTANT;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;WIDTH:100%;} > IAME{BORR:NONE;MAX-WIDTH:100%;} > *{MAX-WIDTH:NONE !IMPORTANT;POSN:ABSOLUTE;HEIGHT:100% !IMPORTANT;WIDTH:100% !IMPORTANT;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN 2018, FELLOW CANADIAN CROONER K.D. LANG PICKED UP A 2018 AMERINA TRAILBLAZER AWARD AT THE RYMAN AUDORIUM; SHE ME OUT 1992, FOLLOWG HER TIME AS A MAJOR LABEL UNTRY ARTIST. YET SHE WAS PART OF THE NASHVILLE SCENE JT LONG ENOUGH TO BEIEND BRENDA LEE, LORETTA LYNN, AND KTY WELLS -- ALL OF WHOM WERE PRODUCED BY THE GREAT OWEN BRADLEY -- AND TO RERD "HONKY TONK ANGELS MEDLEY."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;POSN:RELATIVE;PADDG-BOTTOM:75%;} .TWTER-TWEET-RENRED, {M-WIDTH:65%;WIDTH:TO !IMPORTANT;} {WIDTH:100%;} {MARG-LEFT:TO !IMPORTANT;MARG-RIGHT:TO !IMPORTANT;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;WIDTH:100%;} > IAME{BORR:NONE;MAX-WIDTH:100%;} > *{MAX-WIDTH:NONE !IMPORTANT;POSN:ABSOLUTE;HEIGHT:100% !IMPORTANT;WIDTH:100% !IMPORTANT;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WAYLON PAYNE, THE SON OF UNTRY SGER SAMMI SMH AND MICIAN JODY PAYNE (OM WILLIE NELSON'S BAND) SAYS HE ME OUT AS GAY AT 18, AT WHICH POT HE WAS DISOWNED, ACRDG TO HIS TERVIEW WH GARN & GUN. PAYNE'S OWN STORY FACTORS TO HIS UPG PROJECT, BLUE EY, THE HARLOT, THE QUEER, THE PHER & {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}A RERDG ARTIST DURG THE LH NASHVILLE SOUND ERA, WILMA BURGS MAY BE NSIRED UNTRY MIC'S FIRST OPENLY GAY ARTIST. WORKG WH PRODUCER OWEN BRADLEY, SHE EQUENTLY RERD AMBIGUO, GENR NTRAL SONGS, AND EVEN LAND TWO GRAMMY NOMATNS FOR 1965, CLUDG ONE FOR "BABY." HER RERDG OF "MISTY BLUE" STANDS AS A CREATIVE HIGH POT, TOO. AFTER LEAVG THE MIC DTRY, SHE OPENED NASHVILLE'S FIRST WOMEN'S {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;POSN:RELATIVE;PADDG-BOTTOM:75%;} .TWTER-TWEET-RENRED, {M-WIDTH:65%;WIDTH:TO !IMPORTANT;} {WIDTH:100%;} {MARG-LEFT:TO !IMPORTANT;MARG-RIGHT:TO !IMPORTANT;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;WIDTH:100%;} > IAME{BORR:NONE;MAX-WIDTH:100%;} > *{MAX-WIDTH:NONE !IMPORTANT;POSN:ABSOLUTE;HEIGHT:100% !IMPORTANT;WIDTH:100% !IMPORTANT;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN NEW DOCUMENTARY TLED INVISIBLE: GAY WOMEN SOUTHERN MIC, SONGWRERS SUCH AS KYE FLEMG ("I WOULDN'T HAVE MISSED IT FOR THE WORLD"), JS LEARY ("WHERE THE GREEN GRASS GROWS"), AND MARY ANN KENNEDY AND PAM ROSE ("I'LL STILL BE LOVG YOU") TALK ABOUT WHAT WAS LIKE TO BE A LBIAN THE 1980S UNTRY MIC MUNY. ONE OF NASHVILLE'S MOST POETIC AND POIGNANT SONGWRERS, MARY GTHIER, APPEARS THE FILM AS WELL. HER SIGNATURE SONG MAY BE THE PASSNATE ANTHEM, "MERCY NOW."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;POSN:RELATIVE;PADDG-BOTTOM:56.49999999999999%;} .TWTER-TWEET-RENRED, {M-WIDTH:65%;WIDTH:TO !IMPORTANT;} {WIDTH:100%;} {MARG-LEFT:TO !IMPORTANT;MARG-RIGHT:TO !IMPORTANT;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;WIDTH:100%;} > IAME{BORR:NONE;MAX-WIDTH:100%;} > *{MAX-WIDTH:NONE !IMPORTANT;POSN:ABSOLUTE;HEIGHT:100% !IMPORTANT;WIDTH:100% !IMPORTANT;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}NATNALLY KNOWN RAD HOSTS LIKE BLAIR GARNER AND CMT'S CODY ALAN ARE ALSO PART OF THE LGBTQ+ MUNY, WHILE EVERY BRANCH OF THE MIC DTRY IS REPRENTED THE LGBTQ+ FAY. FOR EXAMPLE, JASON OWEN IS A REGULAR BILLBOARD POWER PLAYER WHOSE SANDBOX ENTERTAMENT LEADS THE REERS OF KELSEA BALLERI, LTLE BIG TOWN, AND KACEY MGRAV -- JT THREE OF THE MANY UNTRY ARTISTS WHO HAVE SHOWN THEIR SUPPORT FOR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}LAST YEAR, LGBTQ+ ALLY JAKE OWEN HAD A GOOD TIME GOOGLG "GAYT" SONGS AND THEN FILMED HIS OWN RENDN OF CHER'S "BELIEVE." SAME-SEX UPL ARE ALSO PART OF THE NARRATIVE NTEMPORARY MIC VIOS LIKE BROTHERS OSBORN' "STAY A LTLE LONGER" AND INGRID ANDRS' "THE STRANGER."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;POSN:RELATIVE;PADDG-BOTTOM:56.49999999999999%;} .TWTER-TWEET-RENRED, {M-WIDTH:65%;WIDTH:TO !IMPORTANT;} {WIDTH:100%;} {MARG-LEFT:TO !IMPORTANT;MARG-RIGHT:TO !IMPORTANT;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;WIDTH:100%;} > IAME{BORR:NONE;MAX-WIDTH:100%;} > *{MAX-WIDTH:NONE !IMPORTANT;POSN:ABSOLUTE;HEIGHT:100% !IMPORTANT;WIDTH:100% !IMPORTANT;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IT ISN'T HARD TO FD A MORN UNTRY ARTIST WHO HAS SPOKEN UP FOR GAY RIGHTS, EHER. CARRIE UNRWOOD FEND GAY MARRIAGE 2012, WHILE MIRANDA LAMBERT JOED HER GAY BROTHER (AND HIS HBAND) AT NEW YORK PRI 2019. AND REBA SIMPLY BELIEV THAT WE'RE ALL GOD'S {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}PERHAPS JASON ALAN SAID BT EARLY HIS REER. ASKED IF ANY FANS HAD EVER E OUT TO HIM, HE TOLD THE SEATTLE GAY TIM 2009, "NOT REALLY, NOT THAT I N REMEMBER. IF YOU'RE A FAN, YOU'RE A FAN. I DON'T RE IF YOU'RE BLACK, WHE, GAY, STRAIGHT, WHATEVER. IF YOU'RE A FAN, THAT'S WHAT MATTERS. BUT TO ANSWER YOUR QUTN, I DON'T THK I'VE HAD ANYBODY E UP AND INTIFY THEMSELV (AS GAY). I MEET PEOPLE EVERY DAY AND TREAT THEM ALL THE SAME, WHATEVER THEY ARE."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS
• IS TOM PAYNE A GAY MAN? HAS PAST DATG AFFAIRS OR CURRENT RELATNSHIPS WH GIRLIEND TO FENCE THE RUMORS?
• ONE DIRECTN’S LIAM PAYNE OPENS UP ABOUT BOOZE, GAY MOURS
• IS ALLEN PAYNE MARRIED? A LOOK AT HIS GAY RUMORS, CHILDREN, PARENTS, B
• IS ALLEN PAYNE MARRIED WH WIFE? GAY RUMORS, CHILDREN, PARENTS BACKGROUND
• ‘THE WALKG DEAD’S TOM PAYNE ‘DISAPPOTED’ HIS GAY CHARACTER’S STORY

CMT CELEBRAT PRI, COUNTRY MIC’S LGBTQ+ COMMUNYCMT TO STREAM CONCERT FOR LOVE & ACCEPTANCEBY CRAIG SHELBURNEJUNE 24, 2020/11:00 {HEIGHT:HER;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;POSN:RELATIVE;-WEBK-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-MS-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-WEBK-ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-ALIGN:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-ALIGN:CENTER;ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-WEBK-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;-MS-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;} IMG{HEIGHT:100%;WIDTH:100%;OBJECT-F:VER;}{HEIGHT:600PX;WIDTH:1000PX;}BY CRAIG SHELBURNEJUNE 24, 2020 / 11:00 AM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"CMT CELEBRAT PRI, COUNTRY MIC’S LGBTQ+ COMMUNY","THUMBNAILURL":","DATEPUBLISHED":"2020-06-24T15:00:26.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2020-06-24T15:00:26.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"CMT"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"CMT","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080}},"CREATOR":"CRAIG SHELBURNE"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}EDOR'S NOTE: ON JUNE 30, CMT WILL STREAM THE CONCERT FOR LOVE & ACCEPTANCE, HOSTED BY CODY ALAN, KRIST CHENOWETH, AND TY HERNDON. THE STREAM WILL BEG AT 7 PM ET/6 PM {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IF YOU'RE CUR ABOUT UNTRY MIC'S GAY PRENCE, LOOK BEHD THE SCEN, WHERE MULTIPLE MANAGERS, EXECUTIV AND SONGWRERS REPRENT THE LGBTQ+ MUNY WH PRI. WHILE THERE HASN'T YET BEEN A UNTRY ARTIST TO E OUT WHILE STILL ON THE CHARTS, GAY AND LBIAN PERFORMERS HAVE ALREADY BEEN PART OF THE FABRIC OF UNTRY MIC FOR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;} .TWTER-TWEET-RENRED, {M-WIDTH:65%;WIDTH:TO !IMPORTANT;} {WIDTH:100%;} {MARG-LEFT:TO !IMPORTANT;MARG-RIGHT:TO !IMPORTANT;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;WIDTH:100%;} > IAME{BORR:NONE;MAX-WIDTH:100%;} > *{MAX-WIDTH:NONE !IMPORTANT;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ONE OF THE MOST PROMIMENT MIC ROW FIGUR RIGHT NOW IS SHANE MCANALLY, WHO ATTEMPTED A REER AS A RERDG ARTIST WHILE CLOSETED. BUT AS A SONGWRER AND PRODUCER, HIS REER HAS EXPLOD THANKS TO HIS WORK WH MIDLAND, KACEY MGRAV, AND OLD DOMN. HE'S GAED A PROFILE BEYOND NASHVILLE AS WELL DUE TO HIS VOLVEMENT WH THE NBC SERI, {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HIS EARLIT CUTS CLU LEE ANN WOMACK'S "LAST CALL" AND KENNY CHNEY'S "COME OVER." HE'S ALSO THE REIGNG ACM SONGWRER OF THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;POSN:RELATIVE;PADDG-BOTTOM:56.49999999999999%;} .TWTER-TWEET-RENRED, {M-WIDTH:65%;WIDTH:TO !IMPORTANT;} {WIDTH:100%;} {MARG-LEFT:TO !IMPORTANT;MARG-RIGHT:TO !IMPORTANT;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;WIDTH:100%;} > IAME{BORR:NONE;MAX-WIDTH:100%;} > *{MAX-WIDTH:NONE !IMPORTANT;POSN:ABSOLUTE;HEIGHT:100% !IMPORTANT;WIDTH:100% !IMPORTANT;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MCANALLY -WROTE THE AWARD-WNG "FOLLOW YOUR ARROW" WH KACEY MGRAV, WHO RERD , AND GOOD IEND BRANDY CLARK, WHO IS ALSO PART OF THE LGBTQ+ MUNY. CLARK'S NEWT ALBUM, YOUR LIFE IS A RERD, DIV TO THE EMOTNS THAT E WH THE END OF A RELATNSHIP -- SOMETHG THAT ANY LISTENER N RELATE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THOUGH SHE'S JTIFIABLY CELEBRATED FOR QUIRKY SONGS LIKE "STRIP," SHE ALSO POSSS THE ABILY TO CRAFT A MAJOR H, SUCH AS THE BAND PERRY'S "BETTER DIG TWO" AND MIRANDA LAMBERT'S "MAMA'S BROKEN HEART." CLARK'S OWN HEARTACHE SONG, "CAN WE BE STRANGERS AGA," SHOWS HER GIFT FOR WORDPLAY, AS SAD AS THE LYRICS MAY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;POSN:RELATIVE;PADDG-BOTTOM:56.49999999999999%;} .TWTER-TWEET-RENRED, {M-WIDTH:65%;WIDTH:TO !IMPORTANT;} {WIDTH:100%;} {MARG-LEFT:TO !IMPORTANT;MARG-RIGHT:TO !IMPORTANT;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;WIDTH:100%;} > IAME{BORR:NONE;MAX-WIDTH:100%;} > *{MAX-WIDTH:NONE !IMPORTANT;POSN:ABSOLUTE;HEIGHT:100% !IMPORTANT;WIDTH:100% !IMPORTANT;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FOR FANS OF '90S UNTRY, TY HERNDON AND CHELY WRIGHT ARE FAIAR NAM. WRIGHT SECURED A NO. 1 H 1999 WH "SGLE WHE FEMALE" AND NTU TO RERD PENNTLY. SHE ME OUT AS A LBIAN HER 2010 MEMOIR, LIKE ME. SHE ALSO RETURNED TO THE OPRY STAGE LAST YEAR AFTER A NE-YEAR ABSENCE. MEANWHILE, THIS YEAR MARKS THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF HERNDON'S SOARG NO. 1 H, "WHAT MATTERED MOST," WHICH HE RE-RERD WH UPDATED LYRICS: "HIS EY WERE BLUE, HIS HAIR WAS LONG..."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;POSN:RELATIVE;PADDG-BOTTOM:56.49999999999999%;} .TWTER-TWEET-RENRED, {M-WIDTH:65%;WIDTH:TO !IMPORTANT;} {WIDTH:100%;} {MARG-LEFT:TO !IMPORTANT;MARG-RIGHT:TO !IMPORTANT;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;WIDTH:100%;} > IAME{BORR:NONE;MAX-WIDTH:100%;} > *{MAX-WIDTH:NONE !IMPORTANT;POSN:ABSOLUTE;HEIGHT:100% !IMPORTANT;WIDTH:100% !IMPORTANT;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ON THE SAME DAY 2014 THAT TY HERNDON ME OUT AS GAY, SO DID HIS IEND BILLY GILMAN. A PLATUM-SELLG ARTIST AS A KID, GILMAN LATER PETED ON THE VOICE. LISTENERS OM THAT ERA MAY ALSO REMEMBER GAY-IENDLY ANTHEMS SUCH AS GARTH BROOKS' "WE SHALL BE FREE," AS WELL AS SENSIVE BALLADS LIKE DOLLY PARTON'S "FAY," WHICH HAD THE LYRIC, "SOME ARE PREACHERS, SOME ARE GAY..." PARTON LATER LAND AN OSR NOMATN FOR WRG "TRAVEL' TH" OM THE FILM TRANSAMERI, WHICH FEATURED A TRANSGENR CHARACTER THE LEAD {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;POSN:RELATIVE;PADDG-BOTTOM:75%;} .TWTER-TWEET-RENRED, {M-WIDTH:65%;WIDTH:TO !IMPORTANT;} {WIDTH:100%;} {MARG-LEFT:TO !IMPORTANT;MARG-RIGHT:TO !IMPORTANT;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;WIDTH:100%;} > IAME{BORR:NONE;MAX-WIDTH:100%;} > *{MAX-WIDTH:NONE !IMPORTANT;POSN:ABSOLUTE;HEIGHT:100% !IMPORTANT;WIDTH:100% !IMPORTANT;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BRANDI CARLILE HAS BEEN PART OF THE GREATER UNTRY MIC FAY FOR LONG TIME NOW. GROWG UP, SHE OFTEN SAYS, SHE NSIRED NASHVILLE AS "THE MOTHERSHIP." HER SKILL AT WRG A CLASSIC UNTRY SONG (WH A TWIST) SH THROUGH "IF SHE EVER LEAV ME," OM THE HIGHWOMEN'S SELF-TLED BUT LAST YEAR. CARLILE WON A GRAMMY THIS YEAR AS A -WRER OF TANYA TUCKER'S SOMBER BALLAD, "BRG MY FLOWERS NOW." SHE APPEARS ON THE VIO, PLAYG {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;POSN:RELATIVE;PADDG-BOTTOM:56.49999999999999%;} .TWTER-TWEET-RENRED, {M-WIDTH:65%;WIDTH:TO !IMPORTANT;} {WIDTH:100%;} {MARG-LEFT:TO !IMPORTANT;MARG-RIGHT:TO !IMPORTANT;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;WIDTH:100%;} > IAME{BORR:NONE;MAX-WIDTH:100%;} > *{MAX-WIDTH:NONE !IMPORTANT;POSN:ABSOLUTE;HEIGHT:100% !IMPORTANT;WIDTH:100% !IMPORTANT;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}TUCKER AND CARLILE ARE AMONG THE MOST PROMENT MEMBERS OF THE AMERINA AND ROOTS MUNY, WHICH HAS E TO CLU AN CREASG NUMBER OF LGBTQ+ ARTISTS, SUCH AS MERCY BELL, S.G. GOODMAN, KATIE PT, AND JAIME WYATT. ALL FOUR OF THE WOMEN RPORATE THEIR QUEER PERSPECTIV TO THEIR SONGWRG, THOUGH THEIR MIL DIRECTNS SHOW THEIR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AN UNEXPECTED FIGURE THE ROOTS SCENE IS TRIXIE MATTEL, A DRAG PERFORMER WHO WR FOLK-UNTRY SONGS AND PLAYS TOHARP (AND ALSO WON RUPL'S DRAG RACE). THERE'S ALSO A MYSTER FIGURE NAMED ORVILLE PECK, WHOSE MIC ASSUM A DRAMATIC WTERN FLAIR, AND WHOSE FACE AND INTY ARE OBSCURED BY A GED MASK AND WBOY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;POSN:RELATIVE;PADDG-BOTTOM:56.49999999999999%;} .TWTER-TWEET-RENRED, {M-WIDTH:65%;WIDTH:TO !IMPORTANT;} {WIDTH:100%;} {MARG-LEFT:TO !IMPORTANT;MARG-RIGHT:TO !IMPORTANT;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;WIDTH:100%;} > IAME{BORR:NONE;MAX-WIDTH:100%;} > *{MAX-WIDTH:NONE !IMPORTANT;POSN:ABSOLUTE;HEIGHT:100% !IMPORTANT;WIDTH:100% !IMPORTANT;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN 2018, FELLOW CANADIAN CROONER K.D. LANG PICKED UP A 2018 AMERINA TRAILBLAZER AWARD AT THE RYMAN AUDORIUM; SHE ME OUT 1992, FOLLOWG HER TIME AS A MAJOR LABEL UNTRY ARTIST. YET SHE WAS PART OF THE NASHVILLE SCENE JT LONG ENOUGH TO BEIEND BRENDA LEE, LORETTA LYNN, AND KTY WELLS -- ALL OF WHOM WERE PRODUCED BY THE GREAT OWEN BRADLEY -- AND TO RERD "HONKY TONK ANGELS MEDLEY."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;POSN:RELATIVE;PADDG-BOTTOM:75%;} .TWTER-TWEET-RENRED, {M-WIDTH:65%;WIDTH:TO !IMPORTANT;} {WIDTH:100%;} {MARG-LEFT:TO !IMPORTANT;MARG-RIGHT:TO !IMPORTANT;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;WIDTH:100%;} > IAME{BORR:NONE;MAX-WIDTH:100%;} > *{MAX-WIDTH:NONE !IMPORTANT;POSN:ABSOLUTE;HEIGHT:100% !IMPORTANT;WIDTH:100% !IMPORTANT;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WAYLON PAYNE, THE SON OF UNTRY SGER SAMMI SMH AND MICIAN JODY PAYNE (OM WILLIE NELSON'S BAND) SAYS HE ME OUT AS GAY AT 18, AT WHICH POT HE WAS DISOWNED, ACRDG TO HIS TERVIEW WH GARN & GUN. PAYNE'S OWN STORY FACTORS TO HIS UPG PROJECT, BLUE EY, THE HARLOT, THE QUEER, THE PHER & {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}A RERDG ARTIST DURG THE LH NASHVILLE SOUND ERA, WILMA BURGS MAY BE NSIRED UNTRY MIC'S FIRST OPENLY GAY ARTIST. WORKG WH PRODUCER OWEN BRADLEY, SHE EQUENTLY RERD AMBIGUO, GENR NTRAL SONGS, AND EVEN LAND TWO GRAMMY NOMATNS FOR 1965, CLUDG ONE FOR "BABY." HER RERDG OF "MISTY BLUE" STANDS AS A CREATIVE HIGH POT, TOO. AFTER LEAVG THE MIC DTRY, SHE OPENED NASHVILLE'S FIRST WOMEN'S {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;POSN:RELATIVE;PADDG-BOTTOM:75%;} .TWTER-TWEET-RENRED, {M-WIDTH:65%;WIDTH:TO !IMPORTANT;} {WIDTH:100%;} {MARG-LEFT:TO !IMPORTANT;MARG-RIGHT:TO !IMPORTANT;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;WIDTH:100%;} > IAME{BORR:NONE;MAX-WIDTH:100%;} > *{MAX-WIDTH:NONE !IMPORTANT;POSN:ABSOLUTE;HEIGHT:100% !IMPORTANT;WIDTH:100% !IMPORTANT;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN NEW DOCUMENTARY TLED INVISIBLE: GAY WOMEN SOUTHERN MIC, SONGWRERS SUCH AS KYE FLEMG ("I WOULDN'T HAVE MISSED IT FOR THE WORLD"), JS LEARY ("WHERE THE GREEN GRASS GROWS"), AND MARY ANN KENNEDY AND PAM ROSE ("I'LL STILL BE LOVG YOU") TALK ABOUT WHAT WAS LIKE TO BE A LBIAN THE 1980S UNTRY MIC MUNY. ONE OF NASHVILLE'S MOST POETIC AND POIGNANT SONGWRERS, MARY GTHIER, APPEARS THE FILM AS WELL. HER SIGNATURE SONG MAY BE THE PASSNATE ANTHEM, "MERCY NOW."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;POSN:RELATIVE;PADDG-BOTTOM:56.49999999999999%;} .TWTER-TWEET-RENRED, {M-WIDTH:65%;WIDTH:TO !IMPORTANT;} {WIDTH:100%;} {MARG-LEFT:TO !IMPORTANT;MARG-RIGHT:TO !IMPORTANT;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;WIDTH:100%;} > IAME{BORR:NONE;MAX-WIDTH:100%;} > *{MAX-WIDTH:NONE !IMPORTANT;POSN:ABSOLUTE;HEIGHT:100% !IMPORTANT;WIDTH:100% !IMPORTANT;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}NATNALLY KNOWN RAD HOSTS LIKE BLAIR GARNER AND CMT'S CODY ALAN ARE ALSO PART OF THE LGBTQ+ MUNY, WHILE EVERY BRANCH OF THE MIC DTRY IS REPRENTED THE LGBTQ+ FAY. FOR EXAMPLE, JASON OWEN IS A REGULAR BILLBOARD POWER PLAYER WHOSE SANDBOX ENTERTAMENT LEADS THE REERS OF KELSEA BALLERI, LTLE BIG TOWN, AND KACEY MGRAV -- JT THREE OF THE MANY UNTRY ARTISTS WHO HAVE SHOWN THEIR SUPPORT FOR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}LAST YEAR, LGBTQ+ ALLY JAKE OWEN HAD A GOOD TIME GOOGLG "GAYT" SONGS AND THEN FILMED HIS OWN RENDN OF CHER'S "BELIEVE." SAME-SEX UPL ARE ALSO PART OF THE NARRATIVE NTEMPORARY MIC VIOS LIKE BROTHERS OSBORN' "STAY A LTLE LONGER" AND INGRID ANDRS' "THE STRANGER."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;POSN:RELATIVE;PADDG-BOTTOM:56.49999999999999%;} .TWTER-TWEET-RENRED, {M-WIDTH:65%;WIDTH:TO !IMPORTANT;} {WIDTH:100%;} {MARG-LEFT:TO !IMPORTANT;MARG-RIGHT:TO !IMPORTANT;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;WIDTH:100%;} > IAME{BORR:NONE;MAX-WIDTH:100%;} > *{MAX-WIDTH:NONE !IMPORTANT;POSN:ABSOLUTE;HEIGHT:100% !IMPORTANT;WIDTH:100% !IMPORTANT;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IT ISN'T HARD TO FD A MORN UNTRY ARTIST WHO HAS SPOKEN UP FOR GAY RIGHTS, EHER. CARRIE UNRWOOD FEND GAY MARRIAGE 2012, WHILE MIRANDA LAMBERT JOED HER GAY BROTHER (AND HIS HBAND) AT NEW YORK PRI 2019. AND REBA SIMPLY BELIEV THAT WE'RE ALL GOD'S {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#373A3D;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}PERHAPS JASON ALAN SAID BT EARLY HIS REER. ASKED IF ANY FANS HAD EVER E OUT TO HIM, HE TOLD THE SEATTLE GAY TIM 2009, "NOT REALLY, NOT THAT I N REMEMBER. IF YOU'RE A FAN, YOU'RE A FAN. I DON'T RE IF YOU'RE BLACK, WHE, GAY, STRAIGHT, WHATEVER. IF YOU'RE A FAN, THAT'S WHAT MATTERS. BUT TO ANSWER YOUR QUTN, I DON'T THK I'VE HAD ANYBODY E UP AND INTIFY THEMSELV (AS GAY). I MEET PEOPLE EVERY DAY AND TREAT THEM ALL THE SAME, WHATEVER THEY ARE."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS

The stream will beg at 7 pm ET/6 pm you're cur about untry mic's gay prence, look behd the scen, where multiple managers, executiv and songwrers reprent the LGBTQ+ muny wh pri.

While there hasn't yet been a untry artist to e out while still on the charts, gay and lbian performers have already been part of the fabric of untry mic for of the most promiment Mic Row figur right now is Shane McAnally, who attempted a reer as a rerdg artist while closeted. "On the same day 2014 that Ty Herndon me out as gay, so did his iend Billy Gilman. Listeners om that era may also remember gay-iendly anthems such as Garth Brooks' "We Shall Be Free, " as well as sensive ballads like Dolly Parton's "Fay, " which had the lyric, "Some are preachers, some are gay...

"Waylon Payne, the son of untry sger Sammi Smh and mician Jody Payne (om Willie Nelson's band) says he me out as gay at 18, at which pot he was disowned, acrdg to his terview wh Garn & Gun.

IS TOM PAYNE A GAY MAN? HAS PAST DATG AFFAIRS OR CURRENT RELATNSHIPS WH GIRLIEND TO FENCE THE RUMORS?

A rerdg artist durg the lh Nashville Sound era, Wilma Burgs may be nsired untry mic's first openly gay artist. After leavg the mic dtry, she opened Nashville's first women's new documentary tled Invisible: Gay Women Southern Mic, songwrers such as Kye Flemg ("I Wouldn't Have Missed It For the World"), Js Leary ("Where the Green Grass Grows"), and Mary Ann Kennedy and Pam Rose ("I'll Still Be Lovg You") talk about what was like to be a lbian the 1980s untry mic muny.

For example, Jason Owen is a regular Billboard power player whose Sandbox Entertament leads the reers of Kelsea Balleri, Ltle Big Town, and Kacey Mgrav -- jt three of the many untry artists who have shown their support for year, LGBTQ+ ally Jake Owen had a good time Googlg "gayt" songs and then filmed his own rendn of Cher's "Believe. "It isn't hard to fd a morn untry artist who has spoken up for gay rights, eher.

ONE DIRECTN’S LIAM PAYNE OPENS UP ABOUT BOOZE, GAY MOURS

Carrie Unrwood fend gay marriage 2012, while Miranda Lambert joed her gay brother (and his hband) at New York Pri 2019. Asked if any fans had ever e out to him, he told the Seattle Gay Tim 2009, "Not really, not that I n remember. I don't re if you're black, whe, gay, straight, whatever.

But to answer your qutn, I don't thk I've had anybody e up and intify themselv (as gay). Ever sce the silent film era, Hollywood beefke photos have tillated both female and gay male fans. Here we ntue our seri celebratg gay, bisexual, and straight movie stars wearg next to nothg at all.

IS ALLEN PAYNE MARRIED? A LOOK AT HIS GAY RUMORS, CHILDREN, PARENTS, B

Gay actors Farley Granger and Roddy McDowall are ready to share — a Coke? Gay star Gee Nar was lked wh another famo hunk — g up...

Guy Madison was a sailor plucked om obscury by gay agent Henry Willson. The troubled but betiful gay star Montgomery Clift.

IS ALLEN PAYNE MARRIED WH WIFE? GAY RUMORS, CHILDREN, PARENTS BACKGROUND

Montgomery Clift was sexually lked to many gay stars, cludg Rock Hudson. Gay tck driver Roy Fzgerald was transformed by gay agent Henry Willson to superstar Rock Hudson. Rock Hudson and Gee Nar — gay BFFs or somethg more?

‘THE WALKG DEAD’S TOM PAYNE ‘DISAPPOTED’ HIS GAY CHARACTER’S STORY

Gay actor Sal Meo was the go-to boy to play a troubled teen — and never more overtly gay than Rebel Whout a Cse. 1950s heartthrob Tab Hunter was another gay hunk whose reer was built (and then stroyed) by agent Henry Willson. Tab Hunter's homosexualy was an "open secret" until he officially me out a memoir and new film.

Gay buddi Tab Hunter and Roddy McDowall: "Ssage or ke?

Or is he a gay man?