Dolly Parton: I'm for Gay Marriage

Dolly Parton says she supports marriage equality because gay people should have the chance to suffer like the rest of the world.

By Julie Bolcer

Dolly Partonx390 (Screen grab) | Advocate.com

Country legend Dolly Parton appeared on The Joy Behar Show Friday and was asked whether she supports marriage equality.

“Would you say that you are pro–gay marriage?” asked Behar, noting that Parton’s background might suggest otherwise.

“I know that’s true,” acknowledged Parton. “I always say, ‘Sure, why can’t they get married? They should suffer like the rest of us do.’”

Behar also quizzed Parton about the secret behind the size of her large gay following and what she thinks of Houston megachurch pastor Joel Osteen, who recently said that "homosexuality is not God's best."

Watch the video below.

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Reader Comments

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Name: "be what you ixt, not what you ixt not"
Date posted: 11/21/2009 10:21:09 PM
Hometown: quote from Tudor the very wise turtle

Comment:
Hey Philip from Reseda, riddle me this: Why does a supposedly straight guy become so fixated on a queer website and blog that he keeps coming back again and again? Now don't take this wrong; I'm not presuming anything, just making friendly conversation. Lots of us queers have spent time in the closet while we were sorting things out. Perfectly normal actually, many folks in straight society being so negative about homosexuals and all. I mean if that's what's going on. And I'm NOT saying it is. Just wondering about stuff, you know. Like are you still dating women? Oh, of course you are, never mind that. But, do you SECRETLY fantasize about men? Now that's the real tip-off, you know, when you find that men are more sexually arousing than women, not so much the feelings of affection at first, that seems to come later for many questioning young men. Now, THAT can be confusing. So, all this is just to give some pointers, if it's not ringing any bells, you're good, don't worry about a thing.
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Name: Dennis Hartnett
Date posted: 11/21/2009 12:16:25 PM
Hometown: San Francisco

Comment:
Dolly has more class in her little finger... By class I mean humility, empathy, great talent and total lack of pretention. Dolly loves the GLTB community, and that love is returned ten fold. I've loved her for as long as I can remember. Anyone who wonders what a real christian is like in deeds and actions need look no further than Ms. Parton. I hope she has years and years of success and happiness waiting for her down the road; we need her spirit and the beauty she brings more than ever! Guess you can see how I feel :)
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Name: Dennis Hartnett
Date posted: 11/21/2009 12:15:51 PM
Hometown: San Francisco

Comment:
Dolly has more class in her little finger... By class I mean humility, empathy, great talent and total lack of pretention. Dolly loves the GLTB community, and that love is returned ten fold. I've loved her for as long as I can remember. Anyone who wonders what a real christian is like in deeds and actions need look no further than Ms. Parton. I hope she has years and years of success and happiness waiting for her down the road; we need her spirit and the beauty she brings more than ever! Guess you can see how I feel :)
Back to top Post a Comment Report Abuse
Name: Dennis Hartnett
Date posted: 11/21/2009 12:15:03 PM
Hometown: San Francisco

Comment:
Dolly has more class in her little finger... By class I mean humility, empathy, great talent and total lack of pretention. Dolly loves the GLTB community, and that love is returned ten fold. I've loved her for as long as I can remember. Anyone who wonders what a real christian is like in deeds and actions need look no further than Ms. Parton. I hope she has years and years of success and happiness waiting for her down the road; we need her spirit and the beauty she brings more than ever! Guess you can see how I feel :)
Back to top Post a Comment Report Abuse
Name: Dennis Hartnett
Date posted: 11/21/2009 12:13:54 PM
Hometown: San Francisco

Comment:
Dolly has more class in her little finger... By class I mean humility, empathy, great talent and total lack of pretention. Dolly loves the GLTB community, and that love is returned ten fold. I've loved her for as long as I can remember. Anyone who wonders what a real christian is like in deeds and actions need look no further than Ms. Parton. I hope she has years and years of success and happiness waiting for her down the road; we need her spirit and the beauty she brings more than ever! Guess you can see how I feel :)
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Name: chris
Date posted: 11/20/2009 4:52:20 PM
Hometown: st robert, mo

Comment:
God bless her!
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Name: Robert
Date posted: 11/17/2009 8:53:50 PM
Hometown: New York

Comment:
Joy Behar is an Italian American from Brooklyn. (Behar is her married name). I just love her "accent" as I am also from the same background.
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Name: MaryAnn Jackman
Date posted: 11/16/2009 5:17:29 PM
Hometown: Nashville

Comment:
I saw Dolly on Jay Leno one night years ago and while drooling all over her cleavage, he leered at her and asked if she had ever felt tempted by any of her leading men and if so, which one was the most tempting to her. She twinkled at him and shot right back, "Lily Tomilin!" he had that deer in the headlights look and she repeated it. He still didn't seem able to take it in. it was hilarious. Dolly is the best.
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Name: Dana Aritonovich
Date posted: 11/16/2009 2:08:56 PM
Hometown: Cleveland

Comment:
Dolly has always been one of my favourite performers. She has been supportive of the LGBT community for many years and that is very much appreciated. Love that woman!
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Name: Daniel F
Date posted: 11/16/2009 2:05:57 PM
Hometown: Miami Shores, FL

Comment:
Well Phillip, seeing as Sheila Kuehl is a gay woman I would certainly hope that she would be nothing but the staunchest advocate for gay rights!

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