Pride, Love, And Acceptance In Country Music

LGBTQ+ Pride Month occurs in the United States to commemorate the Stonewall riots, which occurred at the end of June 1969. As a result, many pride events are held during this month to recognize the impact LGBTQ+ people have had in the world.

Country music is making major strides as proof that the country community of artists and fans are accepting to all. The annual Concert for Love & Acceptance, hosted by GLAAD and presented by CMT, will be streaming June 30th at 8 PM ET. Hosted by Ty Herndon, Cody Alan, and Kristin Chenoweth. Ty Herndon is an openly gay country singer who is most well known for his number one single, “What Mattered Most.” Cody Alan, host of CMT’s Top 20 Countdown, publicly announced he is gay in 2017 via a heartfelt Instagram post. Proceeds from the concert will benefit GLAAD and the Academy of Country Music’s charity, ACM Lifting Lives. 

The Concert for Love & Acceptance boasts an amazing lineup of incredible performers and will also include many notable appearances. Lauren Alaina, Jake Ownen, Matt Bomer, Lewis Brice, Terri Clark, Billy Gilman, Leslie Jordan, Harper Grae, Mickey Guyton, Dennis Quaid, Michael Ray, Rita Wilson, Brett Young, and more will all be featured on the livestream.

In a release Herndon said, “Now more than ever, it’s so important that young LGBTQ people see the artists and musicians they love standing up for them. Since we began this event in 2015, it’s only been about love and acceptance, and we’re not about to let this COVID virus distract us from sending a message loud and clear to LGBTQ youth: you’re perfect just the way you are.” 

Country music artists Kasey Musgraves, Luke Bryan, Maren Morris, and Jennifer Nettles are a few of the many artists that are using their voice to publicly declare their support of the LGBTQ+ community. Musgraves' hit song, “Follow Your Arrow” features the lyrics, “Kiss lots of boys/ Or kiss lots of girls/ If that's something you're into.” The positive reception from the LGBTQ+ community of her fans was overwhelming. Bryan sings, “I believe you love who you love/ Ain't nothing you should ever be ashamed of” in his song, “Most People Are Good.” These artists are paving the way for future country artists to show their acceptance and love and to spark social change through their music. 

Brandi Carlile is one of four women who make up the country music supergroup, The Highwomen. Natalie Hemby, Maren Morris, and Amanda Shires are her bandmates. Carlile is a multiple Grammy award winning singer-songwriter and producer. Carlile identified as a lesbian in 2002, and ever since she has been spreading awareness for health issues to LGBTQ+ rights and empowerment of women. 
​
Brandy Clark, nominated for Best New Artist at the 2015 Grammy Awards, is an American country music singer-songwriter. Her songs have been recorded by greats such as Reba McEntire, Sheryl Crow, Miranda Lambert, Billy Currington, Kacey Musgraves, Darius Rucker, and more. As an open Lesbian, Clark says, "The only people who ask me about my sexuality are journalists -- whenever there's a story to write, it seems like a cool talking point. I've never had a label person say anything to me about it; I've never had a radio person ask me about it." 

To stream the Concert for Love & Acceptance, visit their website www.F4LA.org. 

Haley Moloney