4:02 PM PST, November 20, 2014
Brooks won a GLAAD media award in 1993 for his song "We Shall Be Free," which includes the lyrics, "When we're free to love anyone we choose." Brooks has said he was inspired by his half-sister and bandmate Betsy Smittle, who was openly gay.
The country star also performed a duet with openly gay pop star George Michael at the 2000 Equality Rocks benefit concert for gay rights.
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Garth Brooks
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Brooks won a GLAAD media award in 1993 for his song "We Shall Be Free," which includes the lyrics, "When we're free to love anyone we choose." Brooks has said he was inspired by his half-sister and bandmate Betsy Smittle, who was openly gay.
The country star also performed a duet with openly gay pop star George Michael at the 2000 Equality Rocks benefit concert for gay rights.
The country star also performed a duet with openly gay pop star George Michael at the 2000 Equality Rocks benefit concert for gay rights.
Dolly Parton
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Parton, a long-time gay icon, frequently calls out fellow Christians who are intolerant of the LGBT community.
"I think everybody should be allowed to be who they are, and to love who they love," Parton told Billboard magazine in October 2014. "I don’t think we should be judgmental. Lord, I’ve got enough problems of my own to pass judgment on somebody else."
The singer is also a champion of same-sex marriage, joking that, "they should suffer just like us heterosexuals."
"I think everybody should be allowed to be who they are, and to love who they love," Parton told Billboard magazine in October 2014. "I don’t think we should be judgmental. Lord, I’ve got enough problems of my own to pass judgment on somebody else."
The singer is also a champion of same-sex marriage, joking that, "they should suffer just like us heterosexuals."
Chely Wright
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Wright came out publicly in 2010, but before that, she was in a relationship with fellow country star Brad Paisley.
"I never had the capacity to fall in love with him, but I figured if I’m gonna live a less than satisfied life, this is the guy I could live my life with," Wright later said of the relationship. "If I’m gonna be with a boy, this is the boy."
Wright now campaigns publicly for gay rights and married LGBT advocate Lauren Blitzer in 2011.
"I never had the capacity to fall in love with him, but I figured if I’m gonna live a less than satisfied life, this is the guy I could live my life with," Wright later said of the relationship. "If I’m gonna be with a boy, this is the boy."
Wright now campaigns publicly for gay rights and married LGBT advocate Lauren Blitzer in 2011.
Kacey Musgraves
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Musgraves hit it big in 2012 with her album Same Trailer, Different Park and won the 2014 Song of the Year CMA Award for her song "Follow Your Arrow," which includes the lyrics "Make lots of noise/Kiss lots of boys/or kiss lots of girls/if that's something you're into." Musgrave co-wrote the song with openly gay country stars Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally.
Brandy Clark
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Openly gay country star Brandy Clark won the CMA Song of the Year with Kacey Musgraves and Shane McAnally for Musgraves' song "Follow Your Arrow."
Shane McAnally
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McAnally, who is openly gay, produced Kasey Musgrave's debut album Same Trailer Different Park and co-wrote the award-winning song "Follow Your Arrow."
k.d. Lang
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Though she has since branched out beyond the genre, Lang was one of the first country stars to come out in 1992.