Meet the queer vanguard of country music

CNN ^ | Scottie Andrew

[Jan_Sobieski]

[…]

Singing gay love songs once killed the careers of artists like Patrick Haggerty, whose band Lavender Country in 1973 released what's widely considered the first country album recorded by an out gay performer. Even artists who came out decades later, like k.d. lang and Chely Wright, said their careers stalled after they made their sexuality public.

Now, out queer people are some of the most celebrated country stars. Brandi Carlile and Lil Nas X are Grammy winners. T.J. Osborne, one half of the Brothers Osbourne, came out last year, the first out gay artist signed to a major country label. Trixie Mattel, who won her season of "RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars," incorporates original music inspired by Loretta Lynn and June Carter Cash into her drag act. And Black queer artists like Allison Russell, Amythyst Kiah and Joy Oladokun are reaching audiences across genres.

Queer country artists are telling familiar stories -- first love, heartbreak and learning to heal -- from perspectives that were once shut out across the music industry. The sincerity and undeniable talent of country's queer performers are changing narrow ideas of what country music can be -- and who gets to perform it…

[Jan_Sobieski]

Luke 17: 28 Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; 29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. 30 Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.

[SaxxonWoods]

I’ll pass, thanks. Jim Stafford was plenty.

[Bullish]

I guess they’re going to queer themselves right into damnation. Hope it’s worth it to them.

[Dr. Pritchett]

Geez, they gotta rub your nose in it, don’t they?!?

[Telepathic Intruder]

Would have never known K. D. Lang was lesbian if she hadn't said something.

[Right Wing Vegan]

There is a lot of outstanding talent that record a&r execs can choose from. Choosing lgbt is the way they forward their agenda while still doing the music business. It’s no surprise this is truest in country music, naturally a cultural target leftists are particularly eager to attack.

[GSWarrior]

As a follower of roots/Americana music I’ve heard some of Orville Peck’s music…..it’s not really country but is not bad. One wouldn’t think he is a homosexual just by listening. However his music videos leave no doubt.

[BenLurkin]

“Queer country artists are telling familiar stories...”

Rectal prolapse, STDs, rest-stop liasons, drag queen story hours...

[toddausauras]

Amarillo by Morning

[cuban leaf]

CNN sure focuses on this stuff a lot. I think there is a story there...

[DIRTYSECRET]

Stafford? Really.

Country fans like all good Americans come around eventually and can be forgiven.
So tell me when will this country be forgiven by black Americans?

[Yorlik803]

Country music died in the early 90s. Its just that it refuses to stay in its coffin.

[cuban leaf]

When an artist comes out as homosexual or cross gender, I find I lose respect for their art and am no longer interested in it. I’m not being judgmental against them. They are just no longer my cup of tea. I just don’t enjoy their art any more.

[hardspunned]

What would Ernest Tubb have thought?

[cuban leaf]

Good one. 🤣

[dfwgator]

The downfall of Country Music started with Garth Brooks. Tom Petty said it best, it’s “Bad rock with a fiddle”

[EQAndyBuzz]

What do you call a 100 women with AR-15’s?

Militia Ethridge

[SaxxonWoods]

Stafford is a great guitarist, and I was just joking.

He is gay of course. You remember My Girl Bill?

[farming pharmer]

Now, out queer people are some of the most celebrated country stars. Brandi Carlile and Lil Nas X are Grammy winners. T.J. Osborne, one half of the Brothers Osbourne, came out last year, the first out gay artist signed to a major country label. Trixie Mattel, who won her season of "RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars," incorporates original music inspired by Loretta Lynn and June Carter Cash into her drag act. And Black queer artists like Allison Russell, Amythyst Kiah and Joy Oladokun are reaching audiences across genres.

I have never heard of any of these people. i'm not joking.

I listen to a lot of music at work, in my car and at home. Not one of these names are familiar.

Did I somehow dodge a musical bullet?

[EQAndyBuzz]

What do you call a 100 lesbians with AR-15’s?

Militia Ethridge