Dolly Parton comments about her LGBT fans:

[Are_grits_groceries]

<snip>
Speaking of favorites, Parton was asked about her fan base in the LGBT community, who have long admired her. "The guys all want to look like me," she admitted. "I've always said it's a good thing I was born a woman or I would have been a drag queen.

I think they definitely relate to my flamboyance. I've always been so outgoing. But, I think more than anything, everybody realizes I've been through a lot myself. I've been persecuted for looking the way I looked in the early days, for saying what I think and feel.

They know I understand what it's like to be me, and to fight for being myself, and overcoming a lot of things. I think they also know that I just love them.

I don't judge or criticize anybody. God loves us all. I look for the God-light in everybody, and I want the God-light to shine through me.

I understand them. We're just people. We just do what we do, love who we love, and can't help who we are. We should be that -- proudly."
<snip>
http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-615/6084841/dolly-parton-blue-smoke-album-willie-nelson-bon-jovi-cover

She has consistently had this message for years. Have yet to hear anybody try to jump her about it.
Her comments about a God never bother me. She doesn't use her religion to judge. She uses it to love.
Loves me some Dolly!

[JNelson6563]

1. I know "tawdry" is part of her schtick but

she has always been a first class lady (and a damn smart one at that!). I think she's wonderful.

Julie

[okaawhatever]

3. She employs more people in the smokies than the state of TN. She has always been regarded as

a very savvy businesswoman by the music industry and the regular business world.

[JNelson6563]

13. Yes, I know.

I really love that promoting literacy is a major cause of hers.

Julie

[roguevalley]

42. I have loved her since the days of Porter Wagner

she is brilliant and a beautiful singer. she taught at a community college how to write songs. she is a treasure of our country, this good lady

[Samantha]

63. I love her too - and she and my mother were first cousins

I have the same philosophy about judging others as she. I totally think people have the right to be who they want or were born to be and it is not our place to evaluate that decision.

But I also love her music too.

Sam

[Tsiyu]

47. I know several babies

who receive books once a month from her foundation.

They are really nice books, too.

[Boomerproud]

54. One of my favorite Dollyisms is when her grandfather, a preacher, said to her

"Satan must make you look like that."

Dolly replied "Oh no Grandpa, Satan had nothing to do with it. I do this all by myself."


Another one is when Tammy Wynette was worried that people would say she slept with Porter Waggoner.

"Don't worry Tammy, half the people will think he's lying and the other half will think we've got bad taste."

You go girl.

[LuvNewcastle]

2. She's a beautiful person, through and through.

The world needs a lot more people like her.

[theHandpuppet]

4. Dolly was always ahead of her time in support of the GLBT community

A national treasure.

[Le Taz Hot]

5. You gotta give her credit.

She came from nothing and used her talent and her intelligence to get where she is. AND her views on the LBGT community is in sharp contrast to many of her fans who don't share her, let's say, magnanimous views of others.

[Are_grits_groceries]

16. She is in the

Songwriters' Hall Of Fame not just the country one. She has written a lot of music and kept the rights.
She could probably retire just from the residuals from "I Will Always Love You. "

[Eleanors38]

19. Songwriter! Period. She's great.

[Le Taz Hot]

50. I'm sure you know that Porter Wagoner gave her her start.

(She wrote the song, "I Will Always Love You" for him) Well, years later, Wagoner was broke and he was trying to sell his catalogue to raise money. She bought his ENTIRE catalogue of music and then gifted it back to him. Talk about doin' the right thing. You can only admire people like that.

[Are_grits_groceries]

52. Didn't know about buying Porter's music.

Not surprised at all that she gave it back to him.

[mopinko]

65. doesnt she hold the record?

iirc, she actually holds the record for the most recorded author credits.
she has an absolutely phenomenal number of songs and albums to her credit.

and ya know, the thing i love the most about her is that there is just no better example of what can become of a child raised with love. she had nothing else. and look what she became.

[shenmue]

6. She's neat

[pintobean]

7. I've always loved her

I'm not a fan of her music, though. She has talent, it's just not my cup of tea.

[Smarmie Doofus]

8. The Gospel According to Dolly:

1. All gay guys want to "look like" her. (Who knew?)

2. Gay guys are "flamboyant." (Right. Naturally.)

3. Being "persecuted" for being Dolly Parton is roughly analogous to being persecuted for being gay. (Yikes.)

4. No one should ever "judge" anyone. For *anything*. (Really?!?!) That apparently is the best thing that can be said for gay people. ( Talk about a back-handed complement.)


OK: She's a great singer, funny lady and probably a nice person. But she's no tabernacle of socio-political wisdom.

Maybe we should exercise a little judgement and employ a little discernment about whom we choose to enshrine.

[daligirl519]

11. I don't think. . .

anyone was proposing starting a religion around her! Sheesh! Sometimes people are just on the right side of things - that's all you need to take from this.

[justiceischeap]

12. I'm pretty sure she was referring to the drag queens who impersonate her

Of course, she could be over generalizing the ENTIRE gay community but I doubt that. And I think she was trying to say that she can relate to the gay community for being persecuted for just being who you are. However, you can read it any way you like, just as I read it the way I liked.

I'm "offended" (sarcasm) she didn't even mention lesbians since she's been accused of being one for many, many years.

[Are_grits_groceries]

14. Ya know?

Nobody asked her to be a fount of socio-political wisdom.

The most important comment she has about gays is "I just love them." That is straight from the heart and unequivocal. You don't hear that level of inclusion from a lot of LGBT supporters. That is the highest level IMHO.

So go ahead and deconstruct her every statement. Have at it.
The LGBT community loves her too and so do I.

[Eleanors38]

20. Well, don't Bogart the incense.

[daleanime]

29. snort...

[Eleanors38]

38. That reminds me...

[Scruffy Rumbler]

30. Well, Smarmie Doofus

1. All gay guys want to "look like" her. (Who knew?) As her next line references drag queens, I am sure she was talking about the female impersonators. And she said guys, not gay guys.

2. Gay guys are "flamboyant." (Right. Naturally.)Actually, I and many of my friends are quite flamboyant, when we are allowed to be ourselves. But having learned from a very young age that being flamboyant is somehow shameful.... well look at your statement

3. Being "persecuted" for being Dolly Parton is roughly analogous to being persecuted for being gay. (Yikes.)Her statement: "They know I understand what it's like to be me, and to fight for being myself, and overcoming a lot of things. I think they also know that I just love them." I believe she understands what it is like to be persecuted.

4. No one should ever "judge" anyone. For *anything*. (Really?!?!) That apparently is the best thing that can be said for gay people. ( Talk about a back-handed complement.) Well, I would like to live in a world where I am not judged. Period. So I can understand her feelings.

You certainly lived up to your name.

[nolabear]

32. OFFS. What could anyone possibly say that couldn't be twisted like that?

And what's the point of smarming up what's clearly meant to be a bunch of affirming, loving statements by a person who has actually lived what she's saying? It's absurd and reductive and adds nothing.

[genxlib]

35. Both are true

I'm not gay so I am always careful about whether I am qualified to judge. But all those things jumped out at me too.

I think it is ok to recognize both. Considering her age, background, livelihood, etc.I think her attitude is remarkable.

But I can also say that the attitude falls short for all the reasons you stated. The lgbt community deserves better overall.

I feel the same way about pope Francis. Du has spent a lot of time and energy arguing about him and everyone seems to fall on the extremes of the great-evil scale. It is ok to recognize nuance. Considering who he is and the history he represents,, some of his statements are downright remarkable. However, he is still the leader of an organization that is wrong on too many issues.

So let's recognize the progress and push for better.

[genxlib]

55. Geez

Congratulations on the overreaction of the day.

I was raised in a Dolly loving household and I love her to death. But clearly, her language struck a few people as stereotyping. I don't think she meant any harm but I think it could have been done better. She's a nine but don't hate me for striving for a 10.

But here is what I find the most interesting. You and I are on the same side. So I am not sure why you felt the need to denigrate me. This place has a habit of attacking allies for insufficient adherence to the purity clause. I was trying to respond to someone who disagreed with your original premise by saying you were both right.

Whatever.

[Smarmie Doofus]

57. Hang in there. It's the chance to enforce a kind of Stalinist uniformity of opinion.....

... that actually attracts a lot of people to this site.

Hence the barrage of ad hominems. You're "stupid". I'm... well take a quick look up and down the thread. ( A quick look is all it deserves.)

Challenge them on their emotionalism and irrationality and they go postal.


For the record, here's what I said about Ms Parton:

"OK: She's a great singer, funny lady and probably a nice person. But she's no tabernacle of socio-political wisdom."

Any reasonably dispassionate person, reading her remarks, will agree with me.


Relax: this brigade is not the whole site. Hang in there. You'll soon get used to this element.

[genxlib]

60. No worries

I've been here for years. I just don't post much.

I'm literally all thumbs when it comes to typing on a phone so I rarely dive in.

After all, it can be so rewarding

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

36. Here's to never taking "Yes" for an answer....

[Voice for Peace]

37. smarmie doofus

Dolly is into love, loving. Sheesh.. smarmie doofus

[demigoddess]

53. she knows what it is to be poor

and it doesn't scare her. Unlike Cheney, Bush, etc.

[GeorgeGist]

56. Your username is honest.

[Rowdyboy]

9. She speaks from her heart and she has consistently been a backer of the LGBT community

I love her schtick and a lot of her music. "Hard Candy Christmas" and "Coat of Many Colors" bring me to tears.

[yesphan]

18. Her cover of

"Imagine" was quite touching for me.

[theHandpuppet]

40. Same here

"Coat of Many Colors" makes me cry every time.

[Ed Suspicious]

10. Slowed and pitch shifted Jolene to preserve Dolly's voice and just slowed. Both great.

[MrScorpio]

28. Good finds

Thanks

[tkmorris]

49. LOL@ "Slow Ass Jolene"

Not sure why.

"Hey, is that woman alright?' "Oh yeah, don't worry about her, that's just Slow Ass Jolene..."

[FailureToCommunicate]

58. Whoa, these are great! Thanks

[Arkansas Granny]

15. I'm not a big fan of her music, but I think she is a beautiful person from the inside out.

I've always admired her drive and honesty.

[joanbarnes]

17. An American Legend and a True Classy Lady. Love her too!

[shireen]

21. flamboyance?

I don't have anything against Dolly Parton, but I winced when I saw the word "flamboyance." It is a stereotype that bothers me. One of my best friends is gay … he and his husband are just regular guys. I had no idea he was gay when I first met him. Since then, I've met many gay men that don't fit that "flamboyant" stereotype.

Modern Family is one of my fav. tv shows, but I think the Cameron character is way too exaggerated.

The bottom line: never assume anything about anyone based on their personality.

[Are_grits_groceries]

23. I think she was referring to the 'drag queen'

people among her fans. They are flamboyant as she is.

[shireen]

24. my bad ...

I didn't read the article. Thanks for clarifying.

[toby jo]

22. Love that smile. Voice is good, too.

[riqster]

25. An amazing talent and a good person.

More of our entertainers should be like that.

[m-lekktor]

26. i like her lots but have no interest in looking like her!

lol. she is cute.

[William769]

27. This LGBT fan has loved her since I even knew I was LGBT!

She is just that type of lady.

[catbyte]

31. I'll bet Tater, Moonpie & Scat would like her too!

[William769]

34. If anyone is interested I am posting a link with a lot of her music for your listening pleasure.

Dolly through the decades.

http://lgbtworld.info/dolly/

[AnneD]

41. I remember her very first apperance....

on the Porter Wagoner show. My father dearly loves the other singer, I think her name was Norma Jean. She was very popular at the time Dolly replaced her. Her buxom figure did not help her any as Dad commented...well now I know what he sees in her. You could tell Dolly was scared to death and I think she even sang higher than her normal range. But once she calmed down, we all loved her. As the years progress, she was the best thing on the show. Always had a soft spot in my heart for her. I like Loretta and June too. They were real and strong women singer-song writers in a male dominated business.

[William769]

43. Agreed.

Although I have to admit I never got use to Porter Wagoner's outfit's (yuck).

I also have Loretta and June in my music section of my site. I am from S.E. Kentucky. want to take a guess at what my Favorite Loretta Lynn song is?

[awoke_in_2003]

39. Her god message doesn't bother me either...

She practices what he preaches.

[NCTraveler]

45. She uses her faith as a means of love and inclusion.

Not exclusion. Regardless of my own opinions on faith, the manner in which she views faith has helped to mold her into an amazingly wonderful woman.

[awoke_in_2003]

48. I fully agree

you said it better.

[Tsiyu]

46. Dolly has long been one of my heroes

And if you ever get to Dollywood, check out the nursing rooms if you're a mom. If it's like it was years ago, Dolly thinks of the moms and their comfort.

There is the little cabin there the size of the one in which she grew up ( may be the original ) and you will realize what an amazing woman she is to have made it from a shack to music royalty

[louis-t]

51. That lady has more class in her little finger

than the entire repug party has.

[mopinko]

66. and a good bit of our side of the aisle.

[DeSwiss]

59. ''I don't judge or criticize anybody.'' = Unconditional Love.

- K&R

[center][/center]

[Skittles]

61. have loved her since her Porter Wagoner days

she was lovely even when she was hawking Breeze detergent with towels

[fletch18]

62. Wow - Con here.........

We do have something in common!!!!! I think Dolly is Terrific in every way!

[spanone]

64. she's a national treasure and an enormous talent...love dolly parton

[myrna minx]

67. Love love love Dolly.