Dolly Parton has a large gay following, and the support is mutual. Parton recently sat down with Billboard at Nashville’s NorthStar Studios to talk about her 50-year career in Nashville and why she supports her gay fans. Her personal philosophy toward her admirers might be summed up simply as: Love everyone. Don’t judge. Rinse and repeat.
As for her gay fans, “They know that I completely love and accept them, as I do all people,” Parton said.
“I’ve struggled enough in my life to be appreciated and understood. I’ve had to go against all kinds of people through the years just to be myself,” she said. “I think everybody should be allowed to be who they are, and to love who they love. I don’t think we should be judgmental. Lord, I’ve got enough problems of my own to pass judgment on somebody else.”
Dollywood has become a draw for the LGBT community in addition to church groups. Asked what that says about her, Parton said, “It’s a place for entertainment, a place for all families, period. It’s for all that. But as far as the Christians, if people want to pass judgment, they’re already sinning. The sin of judging is just as bad as any other sin they might say somebody else is committing. I try to love everybody.”
Cue “I Will Always Love You.”
