Newly out country singer and newlywed Chely Wright feels disgusted by North Carolina’s 2012 ballot referendum to ban marriage equality. So what’s she gonna do to fight it, besides speak eloquently on cable news about it?

She has already appeared at a rally organized by Equality North Carolina fighting the anti-gay amendment before the NC legislature approved it’s placement on the ballot. She also plans to continue making public appearances against the initiative all the way up to May 2012 (when North Carolinians will vote on it). But perhaps she’d prove most effective by reaching out to country music fans in the rural part of the state where the most anti-gay votes will likely emanate.

After coming out, Mrs. Wright famously said, “They would rather you were a drug addict than be gay. They will forgive you if you beat your wife, lose your kids to state, get six divorces, make a sex tape, get labeled as a tramp — any and all of it is better than being gay.”

She’s right. A “sinner” can ask forgiveness for such “one time” slip-ups, but because LGBTs take on their “sin” as an identity that they “commit” unapologetically everyday, fundamentalists and far right conservatives see us as the living embodiment of sin.

Could Mrs. Wright convince NC’s church leaders that she’s not inherently evil? Hmmm…

Help make sure LGBTQ+ stories are being told...

We can't rely on mainstream media to tell our stories. That's why we don't lock Queerty articles behind a paywall. Will you support our mission with a contribution today?

Cancel anytime · Proudly LGBTQ+ owned and operated