Dolly Parton 'Loves and Accepts' LGBT Fans at Dollywood; Urges Christians Not to Be Judgmental
Country music icon Dolly Parton recently gave an interview in which she explained that she "loved and accepted" her lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender fans and urged fellow Christians not to judge anyone.
Parton was asked how she felt about the iconic Dollywood being a place that attracts all types of fans from church groups, to gays and lesbians. She reacted with a message for Christians.
"It's a place for entertainment, a place for all families, period," Parton told Billboard Magazine of Dollywood. "It's for all that. But as far as the Christians, if people want to pass judgment, they're already sinning. The sin of judging is just as bad as any other sin they might say somebody else is committing. I try to love everybody."
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Parton has been a performer since 1967 and has worked with well-known singers such as Kenney Rogers, Linda Ronstadt, and Emmylou Harris. While Parton has been in the spotlight, she has often spoken about her faith and personal beliefs.
"I grew up in a very religious background," the Grammy-award winning songstress told Larry King in 2003. "I trust God, I love God, and I love the thoughts of it. Even if there was no God, I'd prefer to believe it, because I prefer to believe in something greater than we are. It takes all of the pressure off of you. You don't have a bunch of ego problems."
Now Parton has spoken about her fans, which include LGBT persons. In addition to stating that Dollywood is a place for "all families," she went on to state that she "loves and accepts" all of her fans.
"They know that I completely love and accept them, as I do all people. I've struggled enough in my life to be appreciated and understood," Parton said. "I've had to go against all kinds of people through the years just to be myself. I think everybody should be allowed to be who they are, and to love who they love. I don't think we should be judgmental. Lord, I've got enough problems of my own to pass judgment on somebody else."
