07/17/2026
Throughout a career spanning seven decades and filled with countless hit songs, Dolly Parton has remained a consistent supporter of her LGBTQ+ fans, even during periods when such views were not always widely accepted within country music.
Growing up in a large Pentecostal family in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, Parton’s background led some people to expect a different outlook. However, she has spent decades sharing messages of kindness, compassion, and respect for all people.
For more than 40 years, she has openly expressed support for LGBTQ+ individuals through interviews, television appearances, and live performances, maintaining her message of acceptance and understanding.
That message was also reflected in her 1991 song Family, which highlights the idea that every person deserves love, acceptance, and a sense of belonging, regardless of their differences.
Over the years, Dollywood has become known as a welcoming place for many LGBTQ+ visitors, including those who attend the park’s long-running unofficial G*y Days events. In 2023, Parton also addressed legislation involving drag performances in Tennessee, expressing her belief that people should be met with understanding rather than judgment.
When asked about her continued support, she has consistently shared a simple message: “I’m not God. God is the judge. I don’t judge or criticize, and I don’t think we’re supposed to.”
For many fans, Dolly Parton’s lasting message remains clear—choose kindness, practice compassion, and treat every person with dignity and respect.
