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THE ROAD TO UNTRY MIC’S FIRST OPENLY GAY STAR
While the event was not gay-specific, AIDS still rried tremendo stigma as a “gay disease. Dolly Parton (publicy photo) Sce those early stands for gay rights, other untry stars have spoken out on behalf of LGBT issu; they clu Wynona Judd, Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire, Trisha Yearwood, and Marta McBri, among others. Asked whether the world is ready for “a gay mastream untry star, ” she replied, “Hontly, that’s a tough one, ” then sighed.
Country heartthrob Kenny Chney gave a siar answer an terview wh Playboy magaze the same month — after vehemently nyg mors that he is gay, fueled by his quickie divorce om actrs Renee Zellwegger.
Asked if there will be a gay untry sger our lifetime, “I don’t know. ” Still, untry’s hostily to gays may be overstated. When Country Mic Televisn (CMT) posted a March 2009 blog about gay fans embracg the Rasl Flatts song “Love Who You Love, ” drew the expected negative ments — but plenty of posive reactns, too.
ARE THE MEMBERS OF RASL FLATTS GAY?
” Willie Nelson (publicy photo) Countered “Mil Jtice, “Long overdue and much appreciated by those of who don’t feel that lovg untry mic means beg biased or prejudiced towards homosexuals or anyone else.
” Country stars on the rerd on gay rights “I n’t see love beg a bad thg. I have a lot of gay fans, and I’m sure there’s a real ol mixture out there.
” Trisha Yearwood on performg at a 1999 ncer benef held at The Connectn, a gay bar Nashville. She is believed to be the first major untry artist to play a gay venue Nashville.