Equalx is a llaborative knowledge base for the LGBTQ+ (lbian, gay, bisexual, transgenr) movement, visualizg LGBTQ+ rights through maps, timel, and data.
Contents:
- LATVIA BE 7TH NATN TO BE LED BY AN OPENLY GAY HEAD OF STATE
- COUNTRI WHERE GAY MARRIAGE IS LEGAL 2023
- THE FIRST COUNTRI TO LEGALIZE GAY MARRIAGE
- GAY MARRIAGE
- WHAT WAS THE FIRST UNTRY TO LEGALIZE GAY MARRIAGE?
- COUNTRI WHERE GAY MARRIAGE IS LEGAL
- EXCLUSIVE: TAYLOR MARSHALL SAYS POPE FRANCIS MAY CHANGE POSN OF CATHOLIC CHURCH ON GAY MARRIAGE
- TEN REASONS TO SUPPORT GAY MARRIAGE
- 12 COUNTRY MIC STARS WHO ARE LGBT ALLI "I’VE KNOWN STRAIGHT AND GAY PEOPLE ALL MY LIFE. I N’T TELL THE DIFFERENCE."BY ADAM SALANDRAFEBARY 2, 2017/8:00 {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:574PX;WIDTH:1020PX;}BY ADAM SALANDRAFEBARY 2, 2017 / 8:00 AM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"12 COUNTRY MIC STARS WHO ARE LGBT ALLI","THUMBNAILURL":","DATEPUBLISHED":"2017-02-02T13:00:14.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2017-02-02T13:00:14.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"ADAM SALANDRA"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHILE NOT TRADNALLY THOUGHT OF AS LGBT-IENDLY, THE UNTRY MIC SCENE HAS BEE MUCH MORE CLIVE RECENT YEARS—AS SGERS LIKE BILLY GILMAN, TY HERNDON AND BRANDY CLARK HAVE ALL E {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}CMT HOST CODY ALAN ALSO REVEALED HE WAS GAY JT LAST MONTH, AND WAS MET WH OVERWHELMG {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHEN TO SETTG AN EXAMPLE FOR FANS, ALLI ARE JT AS IMPORTANT AS OUT STARS THEMSELV, AND THERE ARE PLENTY THE MUNY WHO ARE SUPPORTIVE. BELOW, TUNE TO 12 UNTRY MIC STARS WHO ARE PROVG THE GENRE IS MORE CLIVE THAN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WATCH NASHVILLE, THURSDAY NIGHTS AT 9PM ON {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}GARTH BROOKSGETTY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BROOKS WAS AN ALLY LONG BEFORE OTHER UNTRY MICIANS EVEN NSIRED AN OPTN: THE UNTRY STAR WON A GLAAD AWARD BACK 1993 FOR HIS SONG "WE SHALL BE FREE," WHICH HE CROONS ABOUT BEG "EE TO LOVE ANYONE WE CHOOSE." HE ALSO PERFORMED ALONGSI GEE MICHAEL AT AN EQUALY ROCKS NCERT BACK {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE GRAMMY WNER CREDED HIS LATE SISTER, BETSY SMTLE, WHO WAS A LBIAN, WH SPIRG HIM TO SPEAK OUT FOR EQUALY. "IF YOU'RE LOVE, YOU'VE GOT TO FOLLOW YOUR HEART," HE TOLD GEE MAGAZE 1999. "AND JT TST THAT GOD WILL EXPLA TO WHY WE SOMETIM FALL LOVE WH PEOPLE OF THE SAME SEX."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE DIXIE CHICKSGETTY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE DIXIE CHICKS ARE FAMO FOR STANDG UP FOR THEIR BELIEFS, OM RAISG AWARENS ABOUT DOMTIC ABE TO STANDG OPPOSN TO THE IRAQ WAR. IN 2007, WHEN THE CHICKS WERE ON HIAT, SISTERS MARTIE MAGUIRE AND EY ROBSON RERD “A’T NO SON,” ABOUT A YOUNG MAN REJECTED BY HIS FATHER FOR BEG {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MORE RECENTLY, THE TR TOOK A STAND AGAST NORTH CAROLA'S HB2: WHILE MANY PERFORMERS NCELLED THEIR NORTH CAROLA NCERTS PROTT, THE TR GAVE OUT HATS THAT READ "NO HATE MY STATE" TO DIENCE MEMBERS AND TEAMED UP WH HRC TO TE PEOPLE ABOUT LGBT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}DOLLY PARTONGETTY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}DOLLY HAS BEEN A CHAMPN OF LGBT RIGHTS, NOT TO MENTN A GAY IN, FOR MOST OF HER REER. AND SHE HASN'T BEEN AAID TO LL OUT HER CHRISTIAN MUNY FOR S {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"THEY KNOW THAT I PLETELY LOVE AND ACCEPT THEM, AS I DO ALL PEOPLE," PARTON SAID ABOUT HER GAY FANS A 2014 BILLBOARD TERVIEW. "I THK EVERYBODY SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO BE WHO THEY ARE, AND TO LOVE WHO THEY LOVE. I DON'T THK WE SHOULD BE JUDGMENTAL. LORD, I'VE GOT ENOUGH PROBLEMS OF MY OWN TO PASS JUDGMENT ON SOMEBODY ELSE."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}PARTON ALSO FAMOLY ARGUED FOR SAME-SEX MARRIAGE, SAYG THAT GAY PEOPLE "SHOULD SUFFER JT LIKE HETEROSEXUALS."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}LEEANN RIMGETTY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}LEEANN RIM FOUGHT BACK TEARS A 2014 TERVIEW WH GLAAD WHEN SHE PRAISED HER IEND AND FELLOW UNTRY STAR TY HERNDON FOR G OUT OF THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"I HOPE THAT WE'RE MOVG FORWARD AND NOT BACK," SHE STATED. "I GET REALLY EMOTNAL ABOUT BEE PEOPLE SHOULD BE ABLE TO LOVE WHO THEY LOVE. IT'S AS SIMPLE AS THAT."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WILLIE NELSONGETTY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WILLIE HAS BEEN A LONGTIME SUPPORTER OF EQUALY, TELLG TEXAS MONTHLY, "I’VE KNOWN STRAIGHT AND GAY PEOPLE ALL MY LIFE. I N’T TELL THE DIFFERENCE. PEOPLE ARE PEOPLE WHERE I ME OM."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN 2005, HE EVEN NTRIBUTED "COWBOYS ARE FREQUENTLY, SECRETLY FOND OF EACH OTHER" TO THE BROKEBACK MOUNTA SOUNDTRACK. "I HAD ON THE B FOR 20 YEARS, AND PEOPLE WOULD E AND I'D PLAY ," HE EXPLAED. "WHEN BROKEBACK MOUNTA E OUT, JT SEEMED LIKE A GOOD TIME TO KICK OUT OF THE CLOSET."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}KACEY MGRAVGETTY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MGRAV IS NOT ONLY A RISG STAR THE UNTRY SCENE, SHE'S THE REIGNG QUEEN OF ALLI, WNG CMA SONG OF THE YEAR 2014 WH "FOLLOW YOUR ARROW," WHICH FEATUR LYRICS LIKE, "MAKE LOTS OF NOISE/ KISS LOTS OF BOYS/ OR KISS LOTS OF GIRLS/ IF THAT'S SOMETHG YOU'RE TO."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SHE TWEETED HER SUPPORT AFTER CMT HOST CODY ALAN ME OUT LAST MONTH, SAYG, "YOU'RE PAVG THE WAY FOR OTHERS THE UNTRY MIC MUNY TO BE THEMSELV PROUDLY. COUNTRY MIC WAS BUILT ON REAL SONGS AND REAL PEOPLE TELLG STORI ABOUT REAL LIFE. SO, 'S EXCG TO SEE THE GENRE EMBRACE EXACTLY THAT."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WYNONA JUDDGETTY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WYNONA LAND THE VER STORY LADI HOME JOURNAL BACK 2005, AND CHOSE TO DISCS HER WORK FOR YOUTHAIDS, A NONPROF TG YOUNG PEOPLE ABOUT HIV. THAT SAME YEAR, SHE TOLD NSERVATIVE CHRISTIANS WHO ATTACKED HER FOR PERFORMG ON A GAY CISE THAT SHE WOULD NEVER {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“I’VE HAD THE BIGGT GAY FOLLOWG THE HISTORY OF UNTRY 1980-SOMETHG. I THK ’S JT THE MORE YOU TALK ABOUT LOVE, THE MORE YOU TALK ABOUT GOD, THE BIGGER OF A TARGET YOU ARE. SO, BRG ON.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}CARRIE UNRWOODGETTY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE AMERIN IDOL WNER GOT SOME BACKLASH FOR SUPPORTG MARRIAGE EQUALY BEFORE HER PEERS. "I FELY THK WE SHOULD ALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO LOVE, AND LOVE PUBLICLY, THE PEOPLE THAT WE WANT TO LOVE," SHE TOLD THE INPENNT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ASKED HOW SHE BALANCED HER RELIG BELIEFS WH HER PRO-LGBT VIEWS, UNRWOOD PROUDLY CLARED THAT HER CHURCH IS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"ABOVE ALL, GOD WANTED TO LOVE OTHERS," SHE SAID. "IT'S NOT ABOUT SETTG L, OR [SAYG], 'EVERYONE HAS TO BE LIKE ME.' NO, WE'RE ALL DIFFERENT. THAT'S WHAT MAK SPECIAL. WE HAVE TO LOVE EACH OTHER AND GET ON WH EACH OTHER."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}TOBY KEHGETTY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}PERHAPS ONE OF THE MOST SURPRISG ALLI ON THIS LIST IS NSERVATIVE TOBY KEH. DPE BEG ONE OF FEW ACTS WILLG TO PERFORM AT DONALD TMP'S GURATN, THE “RED SOLO CUP” SGER HAS NO PROBLEM WH MARRIAGE EQUALY OR THE REPEAL OF "DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“THAT WHOLE GAY ISSUE THG, THAT’S NEVER BOTHERED ME,” HE TOLD CMT 2011. “WE’RE GOG TO STOP SOMEBODY OM GETTG A MARRIAGE LICENSE BEE THEY’RE GAY? YOU WON’T STOP THEM OM LIVG TOGETHER, SO WHAT HAVE YOU ACPLISHED?"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}CRICIZG POLICIANS FOR SPENDG TIME AND MONEY ON BLOCK EQUALY STEAD OF WORKG ON REAL ISSU, HE ADD, "I NEVER SAW THE REASONG BEHD GETTG PEOPLE’S PERSONAL LIV."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}US NEHER, {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}REBA MCENTIREGETTY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"I’VE ALWAYS HELD THE BELIEF THAT PEOPLE SHOULD NOT PASS JUDGMENT ON HOW OTHERS WANT TO LIVE THEIR LIV," REBA TOLD NEWNOWNEXT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE UNTRY LEGEND ALSO EXPRSED HER EMPATHY FOR OUT UNTRY SGERS, TELLG PRISOURCE, "IT’S REALLY, REALLY SAD WHAT THEY’RE LIVG WH BEFORE THEY CI TO E OUT... THE PRSURE SOCIETY PUTS UPON THEM, THEIR FAI, AND WHAT THEY PUT UPON THEM, WHETHER THEY ACCEPT OR THEY DON’T.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MARTA MCBRIGETTY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN 2009, MCBRI WAS ASKED IF SHE FEARED BACKLASH OM HER "NSERVATIVE, STRAIGHT, MIDDLE AMERIN" FANS OVER HER SUPPORT OF GAY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"HONTLY, I JT HAVE TO DO WHAT'S RIGHT FOR ME. WHAT I BELIEVE... THAT I FEEL LIKE TOLERANCE IS VERY IMPORTANT," SHE TOLD OUT. "I HAVE THREE DGHTERS AND THAT'S WHAT I TEACH THEM. I THK WE SHOULD ALL BE TOLERANT OF EACH OTHER AND EMBRACE EACH OTHER'S STRENGTHS AND DIFFERENC AND UNIQUENS AND BETY."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}RASL FLATTSGETTY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHEN RASL FLATTS RELEASED "LOVE WHO YOU LOVE" BACK 2009, THEY WERE SPEAKG DIRECTLY TO THE LGBT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“WE ACTUALLY HAVE SOME GAY PEOPLE THAT WORK WH , AND WE HAVE A LOT OF IENDS THAT ARE GAY, TOO, AND I KNOW THAT THIS SONG HAS SPIRED THEM,” LEAD SGER GARY LEVOX TOLD CMT. “I KNOW THAT G OUT WAS TOUGH ON THEIR PARENTS, AND ON THEM, AND THE WHOLE ENTIRE FAY. FOR A LONG TIME, SOME OF THEM DIDN’T GET TO HEAR ‘I LOVE YOU’ OM THEIR DADS OR BE ACCEPTED THAT WAY... IT’S HELPED A LOT OF OUR IENDS.”{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
- 'HAPPILY EVER AFTER' ELUS TAIWAN, A YEAR AFTER ASIA'S FIRST GAY MARRIAG
- SHOULD GAY MARRIAGE BE LEGAL?
- GAY RIGHTS
LATVIA BE 7TH NATN TO BE LED BY AN OPENLY GAY HEAD OF STATE
As Edgars Rkēvičs be the first openly gay print Latvia’s history, here’s a glimpse at other openly gay heads of state om around the world. * country gay marriage *
”Xavier Bettel Prime Mister of Luxembourg (2013-prent)Luxembourg Prime Mister Xavier Bettel at a news nference Belgra, Serbia, on July Vojovic / APBettel was first elected prime mister of Luxembourg 2013, and 2018 he beme the first openly gay prime mister the world to be re-elected for a send marriage beme legal Luxembourg 2015, and the same year Bettel beme the first servg European Unn lear to marry a same-sex partner, the BBC recently cricized a Hungarian law that bans school tnal materials and TV shows for people unr 18 that are emed to promote LGBTQ ntent, Rters reported.
COUNTRI WHERE GAY MARRIAGE IS LEGAL 2023
Sort through the more than 30 jurisdictns that have enacted laws allowg gays and lbians to marry. * country gay marriage *
Icelandic Prime Mister Johanna Sigurdardottir ma history Febary 2009 when she beme the untry's first female prime mister and the world's first openly gay head of marriage beme legal Swen on May 1, 2009, followg the enactment of a marriage law passed by the Swedish Parliament early April. Scholars and the general public beme creasgly terted the issue durg the late 20th century, a perd when attus toward homosexualy and laws regulatg homosexual behavur were liberalized, particularly wtern Europe and the Uned issue of same-sex marriage equently sparked emotnal and polil clash between supporters and opponents. In other s, the cultural homogeney supported by the domant relign did not rult the applitn of doctre to the civic realm but may nohels have fostered a smoother seri of discsns among the cizenry: Belgium and Spa had legalized same-sex marriage, for stance, spe official opposn om their predomant relig stutn, the Roman Catholic Church.
Most of the world religns have at some pots their histori opposed same-sex marriage for one or more of the followg stated reasons: homosexual acts vlate natural law or dive tentns and are therefore immoral; passag sacred texts nmn homosexual acts; and relig tradn regniz only the marriage of one man and one woman as valid. Not every untry the world is volved the nversatn surroundg gay marriage, but a large percentage of the world’s natns have eher legalized same-sex marriage, permted gay marriage certa parts of the untry, allows civil unns between dividuals of the same sex, or actively rtricts gay marriage.
THE FIRST COUNTRI TO LEGALIZE GAY MARRIAGE
The road to full marriage equaly for same-sex upl the Uned Stat was paved wh setbacks and victori. The landmark 2015 Supreme Court se Obergefell v. Hodg ma gay marriage legal throughout the untry. * country gay marriage *
Spectators watch along Yonge Street, at the annual Pri Ftival para, July 3, 2016, Toronto, Ontar, Willms/Getty ImagIn 1999, some provcial ernments extend mon law marriag to gay and lbian upl, providg them wh most of the legal benefs of marriage but laws varied across the CBC News4. Denmark's legalizatn me 2012 after Queen Margrethe II gave her royal assent to the proposed Danish Natnal Associatn of Gays & Lbians at Copenhagen's LGBT Pri March CommonsDenmark was the first untry to allow same-sex upl to register as domtic partners BBC News12.
Uguay fans celebrate as Uguay sr their first goal agast England as seen on the screen set up at Word Cup FIFA Fan Ft on Copabana beach June 19, 2014 R Janeiro, Raedle/Getty ImagCivil unns have been permted Uguay sce 2008, and 2009 gay and lbian upl were given adoptn BBC News13.
In 2017, Germany beme the 15th European untry to allow same-sex upl to Greens Party parliamentarian Volker Beck celebrat followg a vote at the nearby Bunstag which approved gay marriage Germany on June 30, 2017, Berl, Gallup/Getty ImagGermany gave full maral rights to homosexual upl a vote that Chancellor Angela Merkel voted New York Tim25. Ecuador's hight urt approved same-sex marriage a 5-4 rights activists prott outsi of the Constutnal Court, wag for the urt's cisn on gay marriage, Quo, Ecuador, Tuday, June 4, Photo/Dolor OchoaEcuador has regnized same-sex partnerships sce 2015, but the Constutnal Court officially approved same-sex marriag on June 12, urt stcted the ernment to pass legislatn that will cement equal rights for all cizens who wish to BBC29.
GAY MARRIAGE
There are 27 untri where gay marriage is legal. * country gay marriage *
Slovenia 2022EuropeFirst untry formerly munist Eastern Europe to legalize same-sex Ai 2006Sub-Saharan AiOnly Ain untry where same-sex marriage is legal; several untri on the ntent have passed laws that ban homosexualy recent 2005EuropeBeme the third untry globally to legalize same-sex marriage after a vote s closely divid 2009EuropeGay and lbian upl Swen prevly had been allowed to register for civil unns sce 1995. 1%) st ballots favor of legalizg same-sex marriage a 2021 2019Asia-PacificA urt lg prompted a change the law that ma Taiwan the first jurisdictn Asia to perm gays and lbians to Kgdom 2014EuropeLegal same-sex marriage took effect Northern Ireland 2020, six years after the change England and Wal. And Poland, supporters of the erng PiS (Law and Jtice), which has explicly targeted gay rights as anathema to tradnal Polish valu, are 23 percentage pots ls likely to say that homosexualy should be accepted by society than those who do not support the erng party.
Early Years: Same-Sex Marriage Bans In 1970, jt one year after the historic Stonewall Rts that galvanized the gay rights movement, law stunt Richard Baker and librarian Jam McConnell applied for a marriage license Gerald Nelson rejected their applitn bee they were a same-sex uple, and a trial urt upheld his cisn. ” This lg effectively blocked feral urts om lg on same-sex marriage for s, leavg the cisn solely the hands of stat, which alt blow after blow to those hopg to see gay marriage beg 1973, for stance, Maryland beme the first state to create a law that explicly f marriage as a unn between a man and woman, a belief held by many nservative relig groups. In 1989, the San Francis Board of Supervisors passed an ordance that allowed homosexual upl and unmarried heterosexual upl to register for domtic partnerships, which granted hospal visatn rights and other years later, the District of Columbia siarly passed a new law that allowed same-sex upl to register as domtic partners.
C., 1993, the hight urt Hawaii led that a ban on same-sex marriage may vlate that state nstutn’s Equal Protectn Clse—the first time a state urt has ever ched toward makg gay marriage Hawaii Supreme Court sent the se—brought by a gay male uple and two lbian upl who were nied marriage licens 1990—back for further review to the lower First Circu Court, which 1991 origally dismissed the the state tried to prove that there was “pellg state tert” jtifyg the ban, the se would be tied up ligatn for the next three Defense of Marriage Act Opponents of gay marriage, however, did not s on their hnch. That is, even if a state ma gay marriage legal, same-sex upl still wouldn’t be able to file e tax jotly, sponsor spo for immigratn benefs or receive spoal Social Secury payments, among many other act was a huge setback for the marriage equaly movement, but transient good news arose three months later: Hawaii Judge Kev S.
WHAT WAS THE FIRST UNTRY TO LEGALIZE GAY MARRIAGE?
"I’ve known straight and gay people all my life. I n’t tell the difference." * country gay marriage *
Phg for Change: Civil Unns The next saw a whirlwd of activy on the gay marriage ont, begng wh the year 2000 when Vermont beme the first state to legalize civil unns, a legal stat that provis most of the state-level benefs of years later, Massachetts beme the first state to legalize gay marriage when the Massachetts Supreme Court led that same-sex upl had the right to marry Goodridge v. Kansas and Texas were next 2005, and 2006 saw seven more stat passg Constutnal amendments agast gay towards the end of the , gay marriage beme legal var stat, cludg Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont (the first state to approve by legislative means) and New Hampshire. For the first time the untry’s history, voters (rather than judg or legislators) Mae, Maryland, and Washgton approved Constutnal amendments permtg same-sex marriage marriage also beme a feral issue 2010, Massachetts, the first state to legalize gay marriage, found Sectn 3 of DOMA—the part of the 1996 law that fed marriage as a unn between one man and one woman—to be unnstutnal.
Wdsor, nservative Jtice Anthony Kennedy sid wh Jtic Ruth Bar Gsburg, Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan favor of same-sex marriage rights, ultimately makg gay marriage legal across the natn June this time, was still outlawed only 13 stat, and more than 20 other untri had already legalized gay marriage, startg wh the Netherlands December 2000. If the Rpect for Marriage Act pass the Senate and is signed by the print, will repeal the Defense of Marriage Act, ensurg the regnn of same-sex marriage across the board, providg a fn of marriage for feral purpos to clu gay marriage, and prohibg any person actg unr lor of state law om "failg to give full effect to an out of state marriage" on the basis of sex, race, genr, or natnal orig. While the new legislatn guaranteeg that right is far om perfect – for example, don’t allow a Taiwane person to marry a same-sex natnal of another untry where same-sex marriage is not legal – is the first legislatn legalizg same-sex marriage any Asian heterosexual upl enjoy the right to marry, adopt children, and receive their partners’ pensn benefs after ath, homosexual upl many untri face discrimatn all of the pile the untri where same-sex marriage is officially legal, 24/7 Wall St.
“Would like to extend a big thank you to all the untri the Middle East that support gay marriage, ” reads a June 2 tweet wh an image that claims Israel is the only untry the regn to regnize same-sex claim has spread different forms on check:No evince Tim Tebow is wearg No.
COUNTRI WHERE GAY MARRIAGE IS LEGAL
When Taiwan beme the first place Asia to allow same-sex marriage last year, universy profsor Lois was among thoands of gay people who cheered and waved rabow flags on the streets of the pal Taipei. * country gay marriage *
Consulate General of Israel Los Angel, accsed June 8, Israel Experience | Gay IsraelCouncil on Foreign Relatns, June 23, Same-Sex Marriage: Global ComparisonsBranni, accsed June 8, Middle EastThe Human Rights Campaign Foundatn, accsed June 8, Marriage Equaly Around the WorldHaaretz, June 21, 2020, Tel Aviv 'Challeng the Government' by Announcg Regnn of Civil PartnershipsThank you for supportg our journalism. While not tradnally thought of as LGBT-iendly, the untry mic scene has bee much more clive recent years—as sgers like Billy Gilman, Ty Herndon and Brandy Clark have all e host Cody Alan also revealed he was gay jt last month, and was met wh overwhelmg to settg an example for fans, alli are jt as important as out stars themselv, and there are plenty the muny who are supportive.
In 2007, when the Chicks were on hiat, sisters Martie Maguire and Ey Robson rerd “A’t No Son, ” about a young man rejected by his father for beg recently, the tr took a stand agast North Carola's HB2: While many performers ncelled their North Carola ncerts prott, the tr gave out hats that read "No Hate My State" to dience members and teamed up wh HRC to te people about LGBT PartonDolly has been a champn of LGBT rights, not to mentn a gay in, for most of her reer. A year on, she and her Che partner still have no right to legally wed, like hundreds of such upl who face rtrictns over ternatnal same-sex Taiwan marked a year sce passg s historic law a regn where gay rights progrs is slow, LGBT+ rights groups have lled for a full regnn of same-sex marriage to protect upl and fai. MISSING PIECE OF PUZZLESame-sex marriage beme legal Taiwan on May 24 last year, a week after s parliament passed a bill offerg siar protectns of marriage to gay people uld only marry foreigners om a untry where same-sex marriage is also legal, and adopt children blogilly related to at least one of ’s partner, who is om Cha where gay marriage is not regnised, had to give up her job 2017 and bee a stunt so she uld stay on the island and raise their three-year-old son.
I want - my wife, my son - to be regnised as a fay, ” Lois told the Thomson Rters Foundatn by phone om seen as a bean of liberalism Asia, Taiwan beme the first place the regn to allow gay marriage, although the move faced stiff opposn and divid the self-led than 3, 500 gay upl have married sce last year, official figur show. Another of the world's most gay-iendly untri, Swen has legalized both marriage and adoptn for same-sex upl, stalled anti-discrimatn protectns for both genr inty and sexual orientatn, end nstutnal protectns agast discrimatn, and crimalized vlence agast LGBTQ+ people. The lg has no immediate legal effect, but activists say uld fluence other urt s and boost their qut for parliamentary bate on allowg same-sex stck down a lonial-era law 2018 that ma gay sex punishable by up to 10 years prison, and there are some openly gay celebri.
EXCLUSIVE: TAYLOR MARSHALL SAYS POPE FRANCIS MAY CHANGE POSN OF CATHOLIC CHURCH ON GAY MARRIAGE
* country gay marriage *
On July 25, 2014 Miami-Da County Circu Court Judge Sarah Zabel led Florida’s gay marriage ban unnstutnal and stated that the ban “serv only to hurt, to discrimate, to prive same-sex upl and their fai of equal digny, to label and treat them as send-class cizens, and to em them unworthy of participatn one of the fundamental stutns of our society. The Amerin Psychologil Associatn, Amerin Psychiatric Associatn, and others nclud that legal gay marriage giv upl “accs to the social support that already facilat and strengthens heterosexual marriag, wh all of the psychologil and physil health benefs associated wh that support.
2016 printial ndidate and former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fra stated that civil unns are aquate as an equivalent to marriage: “Benefs are beg btowed to gay upl [ civil unns]… I believe we need to rpect those who believe that the word marriage has a spirual foundatn… Why n’t we rpect and tolerate that while at the same time sayg ernment nnot btow benefs unequally. Court papers filed July 2014 by attorneys fendg Arizona’s gay marriage ban stated that “the State regulat marriage for the primary purpose of channelg potentially procreative sexual relatnships to endurg unns for the sake of jog children to both their mother and their father… Same-sex upl n never provi a child wh both her blogil mother and her blogil father. Lee Badgett, PhD, Director of the Center for Public Policy and Admistratn at the Universy of Massachetts at Amherst, stated that for many gay activists “marriage means adoptg heterosexual forms of fay and givg up distctively gay fay forms and perhaps even gay and lbian culture.
Queer activist Anrs Zanichkowsky stated June 2013 that the then mpaign for gay marriage “tentnally and malicly eras and exclus so many queer people and cultur, particularly trans and genr non-nformg people, poor queer people, and queer people non-tradnal fai… marriage thks non-married people are viant and not tly servg of civil rights. Matt Barber, Associate Dean for Onle Programs at Liberty Universy School of Law, stated, “Every dividual engaged the homosexual liftyle, who has adopted a homosexual inty, they know, tuively, that what they’re dog is immoral, unnatural, and self-stctive, yet they thirst for that affirmatn. A 2003 set of guil signed by Pope John Pl II stated: “There are absolutely no grounds for nsirg homosexual unns to be any way siar or even remotely analogo to God’s plan for marriage and fay… Marriage is holy, while homosexual acts go agast the natural moral law.
TEN REASONS TO SUPPORT GAY MARRIAGE
Proponents ntend that gay marriage bans are discrimatory and unnstutnal, opponents ague that marriage is primarily for procreatn. * country gay marriage *
Ernment signated Gerber’s Chigo hoe a Natnal Historic Pk TriangleCorbis/Getty ImagHomosexual prisoners at the ncentratn mp at Sachsenhsen, Germany, wearg pk triangl on their uniforms on December 19, gay rights movement stagnated for the next few s, though LGBT dividuals around the world did e to the spotlight a few example, English poet and thor Radclyffe Hall stirred up ntroversy 1928 when she published her lbian-themed novel, The Well of Lonels. Addnally, 1948, his book Sexual Behavr the Human Male, Aled Ksey proposed that male sexual orientatn li on a ntuum between exclively homosexual to exclively Homophile Years In 1950, Harry Hay found the Mattache Foundatn, one of the natn’s first gay rights group.
”Though started off small, the foundatn, which sought to improve the liv of gay men through discsn groups and related activi, expand after foundg member Dale Jenngs was arrted 1952 for solicatn and then later set ee due to a adlocked the end of the year, Jenngs formed another anizatn lled One, Inc., which weled women and published ONE, the untry’s first pro-gay magaze.
Post Office, which 1954 clared the magaze “obscene” and refed to liver Mattache Society Mattache Foundatn members rtctured the anizatn to form the Mattache Society, which had lol chapters other parts of the untry and 1955 began publishg the untry’s send gay publitn, The Mattache Review. That same year, four lbian upl San Francis found an anizatn lled the Dghters of Bilis, which soon began publishg a newsletter lled The Ladr, the first lbian publitn of any early years of the movement also faced some notable setbacks: the Amerin Psychiatric Associatn listed homosexualy as a form of mental disorr followg year, Print Dwight D. ”In fear of beg shut down by thori, bartenrs would ny drks to patrons spected of beg gay or kick them out altogether; others would serve them drks but force them to s facg away om other ctomers to prevent them om 1966, members of the Mattache Society New York Cy staged a “sip-”—a twist on the “s-” protts of the 1960s— which they vised taverns, clared themselv gay, and waed to be turned away so they uld sue.
12 COUNTRY MIC STARS WHO ARE LGBT ALLI "I’VE KNOWN STRAIGHT AND GAY PEOPLE ALL MY LIFE. I N’T TELL THE DIFFERENCE."BY ADAM SALANDRAFEBARY 2, 2017/8:00 {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:574PX;WIDTH:1020PX;}BY ADAM SALANDRAFEBARY 2, 2017 / 8:00 AM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"12 COUNTRY MIC STARS WHO ARE LGBT ALLI","THUMBNAILURL":","DATEPUBLISHED":"2017-02-02T13:00:14.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2017-02-02T13:00:14.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"ADAM SALANDRA"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHILE NOT TRADNALLY THOUGHT OF AS LGBT-IENDLY, THE UNTRY MIC SCENE HAS BEE MUCH MORE CLIVE RECENT YEARS—AS SGERS LIKE BILLY GILMAN, TY HERNDON AND BRANDY CLARK HAVE ALL E {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}CMT HOST CODY ALAN ALSO REVEALED HE WAS GAY JT LAST MONTH, AND WAS MET WH OVERWHELMG {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHEN TO SETTG AN EXAMPLE FOR FANS, ALLI ARE JT AS IMPORTANT AS OUT STARS THEMSELV, AND THERE ARE PLENTY THE MUNY WHO ARE SUPPORTIVE. BELOW, TUNE TO 12 UNTRY MIC STARS WHO ARE PROVG THE GENRE IS MORE CLIVE THAN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WATCH NASHVILLE, THURSDAY NIGHTS AT 9PM ON {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}GARTH BROOKSGETTY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BROOKS WAS AN ALLY LONG BEFORE OTHER UNTRY MICIANS EVEN NSIRED AN OPTN: THE UNTRY STAR WON A GLAAD AWARD BACK 1993 FOR HIS SONG "WE SHALL BE FREE," WHICH HE CROONS ABOUT BEG "EE TO LOVE ANYONE WE CHOOSE." HE ALSO PERFORMED ALONGSI GEE MICHAEL AT AN EQUALY ROCKS NCERT BACK {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE GRAMMY WNER CREDED HIS LATE SISTER, BETSY SMTLE, WHO WAS A LBIAN, WH SPIRG HIM TO SPEAK OUT FOR EQUALY. "IF YOU'RE LOVE, YOU'VE GOT TO FOLLOW YOUR HEART," HE TOLD GEE MAGAZE 1999. "AND JT TST THAT GOD WILL EXPLA TO WHY WE SOMETIM FALL LOVE WH PEOPLE OF THE SAME SEX."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE DIXIE CHICKSGETTY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE DIXIE CHICKS ARE FAMO FOR STANDG UP FOR THEIR BELIEFS, OM RAISG AWARENS ABOUT DOMTIC ABE TO STANDG OPPOSN TO THE IRAQ WAR. IN 2007, WHEN THE CHICKS WERE ON HIAT, SISTERS MARTIE MAGUIRE AND EY ROBSON RERD “A’T NO SON,” ABOUT A YOUNG MAN REJECTED BY HIS FATHER FOR BEG {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MORE RECENTLY, THE TR TOOK A STAND AGAST NORTH CAROLA'S HB2: WHILE MANY PERFORMERS NCELLED THEIR NORTH CAROLA NCERTS PROTT, THE TR GAVE OUT HATS THAT READ "NO HATE MY STATE" TO DIENCE MEMBERS AND TEAMED UP WH HRC TO TE PEOPLE ABOUT LGBT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}DOLLY PARTONGETTY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}DOLLY HAS BEEN A CHAMPN OF LGBT RIGHTS, NOT TO MENTN A GAY IN, FOR MOST OF HER REER. AND SHE HASN'T BEEN AAID TO LL OUT HER CHRISTIAN MUNY FOR S {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"THEY KNOW THAT I PLETELY LOVE AND ACCEPT THEM, AS I DO ALL PEOPLE," PARTON SAID ABOUT HER GAY FANS A 2014 BILLBOARD TERVIEW. "I THK EVERYBODY SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO BE WHO THEY ARE, AND TO LOVE WHO THEY LOVE. I DON'T THK WE SHOULD BE JUDGMENTAL. LORD, I'VE GOT ENOUGH PROBLEMS OF MY OWN TO PASS JUDGMENT ON SOMEBODY ELSE."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}PARTON ALSO FAMOLY ARGUED FOR SAME-SEX MARRIAGE, SAYG THAT GAY PEOPLE "SHOULD SUFFER JT LIKE HETEROSEXUALS."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}LEEANN RIMGETTY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}LEEANN RIM FOUGHT BACK TEARS A 2014 TERVIEW WH GLAAD WHEN SHE PRAISED HER IEND AND FELLOW UNTRY STAR TY HERNDON FOR G OUT OF THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"I HOPE THAT WE'RE MOVG FORWARD AND NOT BACK," SHE STATED. "I GET REALLY EMOTNAL ABOUT BEE PEOPLE SHOULD BE ABLE TO LOVE WHO THEY LOVE. IT'S AS SIMPLE AS THAT."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WILLIE NELSONGETTY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WILLIE HAS BEEN A LONGTIME SUPPORTER OF EQUALY, TELLG TEXAS MONTHLY, "I’VE KNOWN STRAIGHT AND GAY PEOPLE ALL MY LIFE. I N’T TELL THE DIFFERENCE. PEOPLE ARE PEOPLE WHERE I ME OM."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN 2005, HE EVEN NTRIBUTED "COWBOYS ARE FREQUENTLY, SECRETLY FOND OF EACH OTHER" TO THE BROKEBACK MOUNTA SOUNDTRACK. "I HAD ON THE B FOR 20 YEARS, AND PEOPLE WOULD E AND I'D PLAY ," HE EXPLAED. "WHEN BROKEBACK MOUNTA E OUT, JT SEEMED LIKE A GOOD TIME TO KICK OUT OF THE CLOSET."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}KACEY MGRAVGETTY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MGRAV IS NOT ONLY A RISG STAR THE UNTRY SCENE, SHE'S THE REIGNG QUEEN OF ALLI, WNG CMA SONG OF THE YEAR 2014 WH "FOLLOW YOUR ARROW," WHICH FEATUR LYRICS LIKE, "MAKE LOTS OF NOISE/ KISS LOTS OF BOYS/ OR KISS LOTS OF GIRLS/ IF THAT'S SOMETHG YOU'RE TO."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SHE TWEETED HER SUPPORT AFTER CMT HOST CODY ALAN ME OUT LAST MONTH, SAYG, "YOU'RE PAVG THE WAY FOR OTHERS THE UNTRY MIC MUNY TO BE THEMSELV PROUDLY. COUNTRY MIC WAS BUILT ON REAL SONGS AND REAL PEOPLE TELLG STORI ABOUT REAL LIFE. SO, 'S EXCG TO SEE THE GENRE EMBRACE EXACTLY THAT."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WYNONA JUDDGETTY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WYNONA LAND THE VER STORY LADI HOME JOURNAL BACK 2005, AND CHOSE TO DISCS HER WORK FOR YOUTHAIDS, A NONPROF TG YOUNG PEOPLE ABOUT HIV. THAT SAME YEAR, SHE TOLD NSERVATIVE CHRISTIANS WHO ATTACKED HER FOR PERFORMG ON A GAY CISE THAT SHE WOULD NEVER {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“I’VE HAD THE BIGGT GAY FOLLOWG THE HISTORY OF UNTRY 1980-SOMETHG. I THK ’S JT THE MORE YOU TALK ABOUT LOVE, THE MORE YOU TALK ABOUT GOD, THE BIGGER OF A TARGET YOU ARE. SO, BRG ON.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}CARRIE UNRWOODGETTY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE AMERIN IDOL WNER GOT SOME BACKLASH FOR SUPPORTG MARRIAGE EQUALY BEFORE HER PEERS. "I FELY THK WE SHOULD ALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO LOVE, AND LOVE PUBLICLY, THE PEOPLE THAT WE WANT TO LOVE," SHE TOLD THE INPENNT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ASKED HOW SHE BALANCED HER RELIG BELIEFS WH HER PRO-LGBT VIEWS, UNRWOOD PROUDLY CLARED THAT HER CHURCH IS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"ABOVE ALL, GOD WANTED TO LOVE OTHERS," SHE SAID. "IT'S NOT ABOUT SETTG L, OR [SAYG], 'EVERYONE HAS TO BE LIKE ME.' NO, WE'RE ALL DIFFERENT. THAT'S WHAT MAK SPECIAL. WE HAVE TO LOVE EACH OTHER AND GET ON WH EACH OTHER."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}TOBY KEHGETTY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}PERHAPS ONE OF THE MOST SURPRISG ALLI ON THIS LIST IS NSERVATIVE TOBY KEH. DPE BEG ONE OF FEW ACTS WILLG TO PERFORM AT DONALD TMP'S GURATN, THE “RED SOLO CUP” SGER HAS NO PROBLEM WH MARRIAGE EQUALY OR THE REPEAL OF "DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“THAT WHOLE GAY ISSUE THG, THAT’S NEVER BOTHERED ME,” HE TOLD CMT 2011. “WE’RE GOG TO STOP SOMEBODY OM GETTG A MARRIAGE LICENSE BEE THEY’RE GAY? YOU WON’T STOP THEM OM LIVG TOGETHER, SO WHAT HAVE YOU ACPLISHED?"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}CRICIZG POLICIANS FOR SPENDG TIME AND MONEY ON BLOCK EQUALY STEAD OF WORKG ON REAL ISSU, HE ADD, "I NEVER SAW THE REASONG BEHD GETTG PEOPLE’S PERSONAL LIV."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}US NEHER, {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}REBA MCENTIREGETTY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"I’VE ALWAYS HELD THE BELIEF THAT PEOPLE SHOULD NOT PASS JUDGMENT ON HOW OTHERS WANT TO LIVE THEIR LIV," REBA TOLD NEWNOWNEXT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE UNTRY LEGEND ALSO EXPRSED HER EMPATHY FOR OUT UNTRY SGERS, TELLG PRISOURCE, "IT’S REALLY, REALLY SAD WHAT THEY’RE LIVG WH BEFORE THEY CI TO E OUT... THE PRSURE SOCIETY PUTS UPON THEM, THEIR FAI, AND WHAT THEY PUT UPON THEM, WHETHER THEY ACCEPT OR THEY DON’T.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MARTA MCBRIGETTY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN 2009, MCBRI WAS ASKED IF SHE FEARED BACKLASH OM HER "NSERVATIVE, STRAIGHT, MIDDLE AMERIN" FANS OVER HER SUPPORT OF GAY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"HONTLY, I JT HAVE TO DO WHAT'S RIGHT FOR ME. WHAT I BELIEVE... THAT I FEEL LIKE TOLERANCE IS VERY IMPORTANT," SHE TOLD OUT. "I HAVE THREE DGHTERS AND THAT'S WHAT I TEACH THEM. I THK WE SHOULD ALL BE TOLERANT OF EACH OTHER AND EMBRACE EACH OTHER'S STRENGTHS AND DIFFERENC AND UNIQUENS AND BETY."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}RASL FLATTSGETTY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHEN RASL FLATTS RELEASED "LOVE WHO YOU LOVE" BACK 2009, THEY WERE SPEAKG DIRECTLY TO THE LGBT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“WE ACTUALLY HAVE SOME GAY PEOPLE THAT WORK WH , AND WE HAVE A LOT OF IENDS THAT ARE GAY, TOO, AND I KNOW THAT THIS SONG HAS SPIRED THEM,” LEAD SGER GARY LEVOX TOLD CMT. “I KNOW THAT G OUT WAS TOUGH ON THEIR PARENTS, AND ON THEM, AND THE WHOLE ENTIRE FAY. FOR A LONG TIME, SOME OF THEM DIDN’T GET TO HEAR ‘I LOVE YOU’ OM THEIR DADS OR BE ACCEPTED THAT WAY... IT’S HELPED A LOT OF OUR IENDS.”{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
They were nied service at the Greenwich Village tavern Juli, rultg much publicy and the quick reversal of the anti-gay liquor Stonewall Inn A few years later, 1969, a now-famo event talyzed the gay rights movement: The Stonewall clanste gay club Stonewall Inn was an stutn Greenwich Village bee was large, cheap, allowed dancg and weled drag queens and homels the early hours of June 28, 1969, New York Cy police raid the Stonewall Inn. 1 / 12: NY Daily News Archive/Getty ImagChristopher Street Liberatn Day Shortly after the Stonewall uprisg, members of the Mattache Society spl off to form the Gay Liberatn Front, a radil group that lnched public monstratns, protts and nontatns wh polil officials. Addnally, several openly LGBTQ dividuals secured public office posns: Kathy Kozachenko won a seat to the Ann Harbor, Michigan, Cy Council 1974, beg the first out Amerin to be elected to public Milk, who mpaigned on a pro-gay rights platform, beme the San Francis cy supervisor 1978, beg the first openly gay man elected to a polil office asked Gilbert Baker, an artist and gay rights activist, to create an emblem that reprents the movement and would be seen as a symbol of pri.
'HAPPILY EVER AFTER' ELUS TAIWAN, A YEAR AFTER ASIA'S FIRST GAY MARRIAG
In 1981, the Centers for Disease Control and Preventn published a report about five prevly healthy homosexual men beg fected wh a rare type of 1984, rearchers had intified the e of AIDS—the human immunoficiency vis, or HIV—and the Food and Dg Admistratn licensed the first mercial blood tt for HIV 1985. But after failg to garner enough support for such an open policy, Print Clton 1993 passed the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) policy, which allowed gay men and women to serve the ary as long as they kept their sexualy a rights advot cried the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy, as did ltle to stop people om beg discharged on the grounds of their 2011, Print Obama fulfilled a mpaign promise to repeal DADT; by that time, more than 12, 000 officers had been discharged om the ary unr DADT for refg to hi their sexualy. Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell was officially repealed on September 20, Marriage and Beyond In 1992, the District of Columbia passed a law that allowed gay and lbian upl to register as domtic partners, grantg them some of the rights of marriage (the cy of San Francis passed a siar ordance three years prr and California would later extend those rights to the entire state 1999) 1993, the hight urt Hawaii led that a ban on gay marriage may go agast the state’s nstutn.
SHOULD GAY MARRIAGE BE LEGAL?
In 1994, a new anti-hate-crime law allowed judg to impose harsher sentenc if a crime was motivated by a victim’s sexual Matthew Shepard ActCourty of the Matthew Shepard FoundatnMatthew Shepard, who was btally killed a hate crime 2003, gay rights proponents had another b of happy news: the U.
Gay rights proponents mt also ntent wh an creasg number of “relig liberty” state laws, which allow bs to ny service to LGBTQ dividuals due to relig beliefs, as well as “bathroom laws” that prevent transgenr dividuals om g public bathrooms that don’t rrpond to their sex at birth.