Dolly Parton responds to Dollywood Splash Country T-shirt controversy

Knoxville News Sentinel ^ | August 2, 2011 | Wayne Bledsoe

[don-o]

Followup on a story that was posted a few times here

[Tainan]

Pics available?

[Tainan]

Never mind...I went to the link and saw them....looks like..well...drunk punk rockers with an attitude.

[Colonel Kangaroo]

"I am truly sorry for the hurt or embarrassment regarding the gay and lesbian T-shirt incident at Dollywood's Splash Country recently. Everyone knows of my personal support of the gay and lesbian community. Dollywood is a family park and all families are welcome," said Parton in the statement.

I'll be sure to stay away now. I liked Pigeon Forge more anyway before Dollywood when you could splash in the Little Pigeon River.

[sayuncledave]

It seems a safe assumption that the woman in question was socially aware enough to realize that she was deliberately provoking controversy. Perhaps she wrote the letter more out of a guess that she’d find, so to speak, a sympathetic ear. But regardless, this was the desired outcome on the young lady’s part. On that I would feel sure enough to bet a few guitar picks. When my Shorter, Cuter Half™ and I married, we visited Pigeon Forge for our honeymoon. We, too, will stay away, these days.

[don-o]

same-sex Knoxville couple were asked to leave because of the shirt one of them wore.

The original stories is that they were asked to turn the shirts inside, which they did.

[don-o]

The original stories is that they were asked to turn the shirts inside, which they did.

Learn to proofread don-o. EVERY TIME!!!

The original stories stated that......

[drpix]

Dolly must feel she is in no position to offend the beautician and cosmetologist community, by standing up for the values of the country music community.

[tlb]

Either “_______ is go gay” is unacceptably rude and politically incorrect, or it isn’t. Gays need to take a vote and settle this question one way or the other. Then get back to Dolly on this one.

[caver]

I used to think a lot more of Dolly before I learned of her “open marriage”.

[visualops]

They were not asked to leave, she was asked to reverse her shirt, which she did. People who purposefully stir up trouble because they consider themselves “special” are a PITA. The park has a policy, which they enforce with everyone, not just gay people looking to impose their views on everyone else. To wear a shirt saying “marriage is gay” to a family park full of children means you hoped to get “picked” so you could make a stink and get publicity for your “cause”.

[TSgt]

Nothing is sacred even in the heart of the Bible belt.

[Racehorse]

Odom and Tipton appreciated Parton's statement, but were disappointed Monday that park officials declined to meet with them and Beach-Ferrera. Odom said they wanted Beach-Ferrera to be present for "support and clarity" and to help represent their positions.

Yeah, right. Sure. That's all they wanted. Homosexuals never lie about their agenda. /s

[Venturer]

Dolly has always been a great performer and a smart lady who knows how to make money.
She has never been a great moralist or even a great Patriot.
In fact she made a movie with the traitor Jane Fonda.

Listen to her music and try to avoid her liberal leanings.

[Salamander]

At a local big biker event, a vendor was selling shirts that said “Homos Are So Gay”.

They were right beside all the anti-Obama shirts.

Never saw any bikers getting the vapors.

:)

[Ole Okie]

When my Shorter, Cuter Half™ and I married, we visited Pigeon Forge for our honeymoon. We, too, will stay away, these days.

My better half (also shorter and cuter) and I married in Sevierville 11 years ago and honeymooned in Pigeon Forge.

We didn't go to Dollywood, and probably won't go there next time.

[aruanan]

"I am truly sorry for the hurt or embarrassment regarding the gay and lesbian T-shirt incident at Dollywood's Splash Country recently. Everyone knows of my personal support of the gay and lesbian community. Dollywood is a family park and all families are welcome," said Parton in the statement.

Dolly's intelligence has dropped to that of her boobs.

[RexBeach]

Parton has an open marriage? Good Lord.

[ReformationFan]

“Dollywood is a family park and all families are welcome,” said Parton in the statement.

I’m sure polygamous and incestuous familes will be thrilled to know that, Dolly. The Manson family would be thrilled as well.

[thackney]

Pics available?