American Idol winner and country star Carrie Underwood has come out firmly in support of marriage equality. Underwood was raised Baptist and now attends a nondenominational Christian Church with her husband, pro hockey player Mike Fischer. Their church, according to Underwood, is welcoming and accepting of LGBT people, which influenced her decision to come out publicly in support of marriage equality. In an interview, she says:
As a married person myself, I don't know what it's like to be told I can't marry somebody I love and want to marry. I can't imagine how that must feel. I definitely think we should all have the right to love, and love publicly, the people that we want to love.
She roots her belief in her faith, stating:
Above all, God wanted us to love others. It's not about setting rules, or 'everyone has to be like me.' No. We're all different. That's what makes us special. We have to love each other and get on with each other.
Underwood is one of several country music stars to come out in support of marriage equality, including Dolly Parton, who presented at the 2011 GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles.
Town and Country last year released the music video for their song “Everybody Wants to Say I Do,” an anthem to love and equality.
Everybody Wants to Say I Do by Town and Country from Town and Country on Vimeo.
GLAAD commends Carrie Underwood for supporting marriage equality and rooting it in her faith. We also congratulate Town and Country for their inspiring ode to equality. We hope that other country music performers will join Carrie, Dolly, and Town and Country in speaking (or singing) out for LGBT equality.