10 of the biggest LGBTQ+ allies in Country music

Brothers Osborne have long been known to preach equality, but gained a lot more attention when brother TJ came out as gay during recent interview with TIME Magazine. His brother, John, was the perfect example of an ally speaking out immediately following TJ’s news sharing immense support for his brother, along with all other members of the LGBTQ+ community. TJ’s truth broke barriers in the Country music world as he was the first male to identify as gay that is signed to a major label.

Since the very beginning of her career, Kacey has fearlessly preached her acceptance and support for the LGBTQ+ community. Known for never holding back her thoughts and opinions on social media (like when she called out the TN House Republicans for not honoring TJ Osborne because he’s gay), Musgraves has also used her music as a megaphone for acceptance. Musgraves songs like “Rainbow” and “Follow Your Arrow,” speak directly to queer fans with lyrics like “Kiss lots of boys — or kiss lots of girls — if that’s something you’re into.” Fans never have to wonder if they are welcomed by Musgraves.

The singer-songwriter has found great courage in recent years to speak up about her sexuality, publicly identifying herself as lesbian. In honor of Pride Month this year, Clark wrote an emotional, open letter to honor k.d. Lang, who Clark credits for being her role model as an openly gay musician. In the letter, Clark recognizes Lang for being a “trailblazer” and paving a way for artists like Clark. Brandy hopes her voice will be a comfort to others like Lang’s was to her, and help shape greater acceptance in the next generation.

A well-known songwriter and established businessman in the Nashville music scene, Shane McAnally is a fearless leader for the LGBTQ+ Country community and is not afraid to use his platform to sing the praises of other allies. An openly gay man with undeniable success and a family that wins over the hearts of fans everywhere, McAnally has an amazing ability to normalize the LGBTQ+ culture in what is otherwise known as a conservative industry. McAnally legally wed his partner, Michael Baum, in 2017 and they share two children together, twins Dillon and Dash.

The queen of Country music is also the queen of equality. Dolly has long been known to support everyone embracing who they are and living their life to the fullest. Parton is vocal about her beliefs and has even teased a “gay dance album” for fans. And for all those that say actions speak louder than words… Dolly entered a drag queen “Dolly Parton look-alike” contest, and lost. How’s that for a show of support?

She may be a newer artist, but Brooke Eden isn’t afraid to make waves in Country music in an effort to broaden its acceptance. After being told to hide her sexuality for many years, Eden made a bold move to come out as a lesbian through a music video for her song, “Got No Choice,” that showcased her real-life girlfriend, Hilary Hoover, and their love story. Brooke held nothing back in the video as she embraced her partner sharing on-screen kisses and tender embraces showing her fans exactly where she stands. Eden and Hoover, who also works in the industry, announced their engagement last month.

We don’t know a single person who doesn’t love and respect Garth Brooks, and in return, Garth has made it clear there isn’t a single person he won’t love and respect. Growing up with a gay half-sister, Betsy Smittle, supporting the LGBTQ+ community has never been a question for the Country mega-star. He has shown support in many ways, one of the most prestigious is through his song from 1992 “We Shall Be Free” which sings, “When we’re free to love anyone we choose / When this world’s big enough for all different views / When we can all worship from our own kind of pew / Then we shall be free.”

Country singer-songwriter and Americana musician, Brandi Carlile, has long been an inspiration for the LGBTQ+ community as an openly gay musician. Carlile regularly uses her platform to encourage equality through sharing snapshots from her own life with her partner, Catherine Shepherd, and their children, proving their love is no different than the love of a heterosexual couple. Carlile’s most recent project was a book she titled, Broken Horses, where she shares the details of her life from being a professional musician to motherhood and her sexuality.

Arguably one of the most popular female musicians in Country music, Maren Morris knows her power and is all about using it for good. Maren often expresses her desires for Country music to push past its comfort zone and that includes broader representation of the LGBTQ+ musicians and fans. She regularly works with queer musicians and is typically one of the first to show support for fellow allies. Maren was one of the first artists to publicly congratulate TJ Osborne of Brothers Osborne after he came out as gay earlier this year.

As a major TV and radio personality for CMT, Cody Alan already has a big ol’ spotlight on his life. That spotlight got even brighter when Cody came out as gay in 2017, after struggling for years to accept it himself. Cody wrote a heartfelt letter to his many fans and peers in the Country world with hopes they would continue to accept and support him. After the mostly encouraging reactions Cody received, he is now quick to return the support to other artists brave enough to share their truth and is proud to represent the growing LGBTQ+ community within Country music.