Yesterday unofficially became country music’s coming out day when we heard from not one but two twangtastic artists about their same-sex secret lives. And while in full disclosure we hadn’t ever heard of either Billy Gilman or Ty Herdon before, the news was still good.
Kudos to YouTube channel Heck Bender for putting out an intelligent response so quickly.
In their latest clip, a father talks to his son about the gay singers.
Dad: “Some people think that Southern tradition, freedom and country music is being threatened by people coming out as being gay or criticizing the president — unless of course it’s Obama.”
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
Son: “But isn’t country music a representation of Southern rebellion? And isn’t coming out as a gay country artist one of the biggest acts of rebellion you can do in that field? And isn’t it a great act of Southern rebellion by criticizing your representation and hasn’t the South always been about individual freedom? And isn’t a great act of individual freedom loving whoever you want to love?
Boom. Watch here:
jwtraveler
Here’s how to talk to your kids about gay country musicians: If you like their music, listen to it; if you don’t like their music, don’t.
Jason b.
I think the time has come that rather than a big coming out statement, people in the spotlight just start showing up to events with their partner/husband/wife and introduce them as such. Let the media do what they will and treat inside of our own community the way we want it treated moving forward. I for one look forward to the day that this issue gets no more and no less attention than any relationship gets.
As a long time listener of old country music(Lefty and Merle) I am very happy to see singers feel comfortable enough to present their partners. Couldn’t name a modern Country singer other than Alan Jackson.
Alan down in Florida
I’d like to see some gutsy concert promoter to package a tour for Ty Herndon, Billy Gilman, Chely Wright, Brandy Clark and maybe for a little extra star appeal crossover generational icons kd lang and Janis Ian and maybe for the YouTube generation Steve Grand. They might not sell out arenas but I bet they’d do respectable box office.
LandStander
I swear Queerty just waits for Towleroad to publish a story so they can copy it a few hours or days later…
ingyaom
Isn’t that what a blog is?
onthemark
“Southern tradition”? Billy Gilman was born & raised in Rhode Island – southern New England I guess.