Country music legend Dolly Parton has always been an outspoken supporter of equality for LGBT people. She's spoken out for marriage equality, and even made a surprise appearance at the GLAAD Media Awards. But now, she's speaking out for equality in the South.
In an interview with the Marietta Daily Journal (the hometown paper of yours truly), Parton was asked about her position on marriage equality. She said, "I just think it’s not my place to judge, to criticize, and I think people should be allowed — they’re going to love who they love, and if they’re going to be with who they’re going to be with, they should have whatever benefits they can have. I’m not God. I’m not a judge.”
When asked specifically about whether states in the South would ever recognize marriages for same-sex couples, she said, “I don’t know when, or if anything, will ever change in the South, but I know people will never change who they love, either."
Dolly is a pioneer in the country music world, and has led the way for artists like Kacey Musgraves to become strong allies to the LGBT community. Take a look at a video of Dolly at the GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles: