Wrapping up a year in the headlines after coming out as gay, country singer TJ Osborne nabbed a standing ovation–and a kiss–at the Country Music Awards on November 10.
Osborne and his brother/singing partner John took home the Duo of the Year Award at the show–their fourth win in the category. As the pair took to the stage, John snagged a kiss from his wife Lucie Silvas, and TJ kissed with his boyfriend, singer Abiezer Ventura. The evening marked the first time the pair appeared in public together, and the first time Osborne shared a kiss with a man on camera.
Oh, and he spent most of the night sitting next to Nicole Kidman, which is always a cool thing.
“Oh, my god! I tell you, every time that we have won this award, it has never, ever ceased to be extremely shocking,” T.J. gushed when he took to the stage. ” Honestly, it is so incredible to be here. Thanks to everyone who voted for us. It’s been a crazy roller coaster of a year for us in so many ways, especially for me emotionally and to have you all support me—it really does feel like love wins tonight. Thank you.”
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Related: Tennessee Republicans just declared war on TJ Osborne
As TJ stepped away from the mic, the audience rose in ovation to his words. His brother John, recognizing the moment, added to the homage.
“Give this boy a round of applause,” John said. “We love this genre, we love the people, we love all of you so much.”
The duo also took to the stage again later in the evening to perform the song “Younger Me,” a tune written by TJ about coming to terms with his sexuality, and meant as a message of hope to other LGBTQ people.
TJ Osborne came out in February 2021, making him the first openly gay country singer signed to a major label. “I find myself being guarded for not wanting to talk about something that I personally don’t have a problem with,” he said at the time. “That feels so strange.”
ptn2719
And at that moment, all across America, Trump loving, MAGA hat wearing Republicans promptly had a collective and massive stroke.
Max
if only…
GayConservMan
Actually, being a Log Cabin Republican myself, we celebrate this! 🙂 But, nice try.
belugafan
Trump supporting gay conservative here. Happy for him as well, no stroke suffered 🙂
Den
Two “Trump supporting gay conservatives who are too brainwashed to understand what Trump has done to undermine LGBT rights through his judicial appointments. Get back to us in 10 years, if you are no longer so far removed from reality. Though who knows, perhaps your closet is large enough and well enough decorated that you would not mind being forced back into it.
CatholicXXX
his bf doesn’t exist.
no presence
no pictures
nothing.
d3clark
@catholicXXX,
Your Jesus doesn’t exist. No presence, no pictures, no video, no transubstantiation, no ascension, nada.
Donston
I know you’re trolling, but I’ll bite.
A lot of people, even legit “straight” people in longterm hetero commitments, do not parade their significant others at events and on social media. He went to a country music awards show with his partner and unabashedly showed affection. That’s a pretty big step. And it’s quite a bit more telling than just posting a pic or two on your Instagram.
Rugby8
……shhhhhh
The primary tenet of the Catholic church is Love thy Neighbor
…..translation: Be Nice
CatholicXXX
people still believe in jesus?
Jon in Canada
Sweet Fake Baby Jesus in a Deep Fried Twinkie, Seriously???
Honey, google is your friend. Just search Abiezer Ventura and there he is. Seriously, are you completely daft or just willfully ignorant…never mind, I just answered my own question.
Mister P
There is video though.
Rugby8
???
Raphael
@Rugby8 I think he meant to reply @CatholicXXX
Essie
I don’t follow country music so I have no clue who T.J. is but, congrats to him for having the balls to actually kiss his boyfriend on TV, at an awards show. The boyfriend must be ecstatic. I mean, that’s really showing your love.
Mack
And tomorrow the One Million Moms will call for a boycott of the CMA because of the kiss.
Donston
All the Trump and Republican and Conservative mentions are corny. Say congrats on the moment and keep it pushing. No need to use his moment to try to shit on others or try to highlight that you’re a “gay Conservative” that isn’t anti-gay. No one gives a shit.
GayConservMan
You gave such a shit that you commented that you didn’t give a shit. Stay mad. 🙂
Donston
I resent people using every moment possible to throw mud at “Liberals” or “Conservatives”. It’s antagonistic, cheap, petty and selfish. While no one has time to beckon the “gay Conservatives” hyping up how “pro gay” they are, as if that means anything or as if that nullifies that the vast majority of self-described “Conservatives” are homophobic and/or anti-gay.
GayConservMan
You state the ‘vast majority of self-described “Conservatives” are homophobic and/or anti-gay.
This is not my experience. Can you please point me to a recent study where you gathered your statistics or is this simply your opinion?
Den
I didn’t post the links, as they often prevent the post from showing BUT ACCORDING TO A PEW RESEARCH POLL (since you show for a second time in one article how far removed from reality you are, posting actual facts is in order):
Of registered voters, 54% of Republicans say Homosexuality “should be accepted by society”, WHILE 83% OF DEMOCRATS DO. FOURTY SEVEN PERCENT of Republicans support same sex marriage, while 76% of Democrats do. That looks like quite a difference to me regardless of your anecdotal statement. There is really no denying that Log Cabin Republicans are at best deluded, at worst filled with self-hatred.
In a similar vein, MOST AMERICANS say women face significant obstacles in society, while MOST REPUBLICANS DENY THAT.
Whereas you may think it enough for your right wing buddies to tolerate you so long as you “act normally”, while privately pitying your sad sexual dysfunction; more liberal folks would prefer to work towards making others understand we are fully human and that presenting in public exactly as they do with regards to our relationships and PDAs is not “rubbing their face in it” or “attempting to recruit their children”. It is not the left that is trying to get books removed from libraries, or otherwise remove all references to LGBT people removed from schools. Nor is it the left that is advancing a well thought out agenda to undermine both marriage equality and recriminalize homosexuality. Sad to see people like you who are actively enemies of community to which you oddly think of yourselves as members.
Kangol2
I have no idea who TJ Osborne is but nevertheless, congrats to him on the CMA win and on publicly showing affection to his boyfriend.
Invader7
Well..That is a another step FORWARD in fuller gay open ness in the USA!! I mean come on. A gay kiss @ the CMA’s on national tv !!! We have come far.