Chely Wright

[gaypalmsprings]

Country singer Chely Wright tells 'People' she's gay
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS • MAY 3, 2010

WASHINGTON — Country singer Chely Wright is the latest celebrity to come out.

Wright tells People she’s gay and that nothing in her life has been more magical than the moment she decided to reveal her sexuality.

The 39-year-old says she experienced a community in which homosexuality was shunned and she “hid everything” for her music.

Wright is releasing her memoir, “Like Me,” and her new album, “Lifted Off the Ground,” this week.

An e-mail sent to Wright’s record label wasn’t immediately returned Monday.

[Chevgirl357]

Country singer Chely Wright tells 'People' she's gay
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS • MAY 3, 2010

WASHINGTON — Country singer Chely Wright is the latest celebrity to come out.

Wright tells People she’s gay and that nothing in her life has been more magical than the moment she decided to reveal her sexuality.

The 39-year-old says she experienced a community in which homosexuality was shunned and she “hid everything” for her music.

Wright is releasing her memoir, “Like Me,” and her new album, “Lifted Off the Ground,” this week.

An e-mail sent to Wright’s record label wasn’t immediately returned Monday.

Who is Chely Wright? Not being an ass, seriously don't know. What does she sing?

[Berlynn73]

http://chely.com/

Here is a website I found. She sings "Single White Female"

[WillieCash]

She's had a few hits and a good degree of success as a writer.

It will be interesting to see if her sales get a boost from the segment of her audience that is sympathetic to her situation or will be driven down by douchebags that are afraid of their children 'catching a case of the homos' if they listen to her music.

My guess is, she is at a point in her career that the news will give her sustainability on the smaller venue circuit like it has The Indigo Girls and KD Lang.

I think it is a good move. Chely wasn't going to be selling out stadiums any time soon so she might as well be happy while she does it. Plus, I don't think the industry itself has as much of a problem with homosexuality as a great deal of listeners do so she will still be able to write for other artists that may ask her to use a "pen name". It happens a lot in Nashville. If this is the case, I hope she tells them to go sh*t in a flat hat.

[Chevgirl357]

She's had a few hits and a good degree of success as a writer.

It will be interesting to see if her sales get a boost from the segment of her audience that is sympathetic to her situation or will be driven down by douchebags that are afraid of their children 'catching a case of the homos' if they listen to her music.

My guess is, she is at a point in her career that the news will give her sustainability on the smaller venue circuit like it has The Indigo Girls and KD Lang.

I think it is a good move. Chely wasn't going to be selling out stadiums any time soon so she might as well be happy while she does it. Plus, I don't think the industry itself has as much of a problem with homosexuality as a great deal of listeners do so she will still be able to write for other artists that may ask her to use a "pen name". It happens a lot in Nashville. If this is the case, I hope she tells them to go sh*t in a flat hat.

Really? It's so hard for me to grasp that people still have this type of ignorance. But it was so apparent with all of the racist jokes I heard at Stagecoach this year around me (not our group). I forget that a lot of coutnry fans are the "good ole boys" with that "old southern" mentality still. I don't even bat an eyelash when people "come out" (boy, lots of "quotes" in here, lol). It's not a big deal to me, normally it's obvious (can we say Clay Aiken and Adam Lambert? Shocker!) and it doesn't change them as an artist. LOL, I JUST found out 2 nights ago that Nathan Lane was gay. I honestly had no idea, just thought he was really theatrical! Anywho, I hope this doesn't effect her career.

[WillieCash]

Even growing up in the high desert where racism and homphobia is much more common than "down the hill" it seemed like this sort of thinking was on the downward slope, and it may be, but not fast fast enough for those affected by it.

Just playing the country circuit (even in Southern California) I have come across some of the most backwards, hillbilly, bigoted sons of bitches I have ever known so I know it exists elsewhere. I've also spent a lot of time in the Midwest and the South where the veil hiding racism and homophobia is even thinner.

I've met a lot of great people, don't get me wrong. But I'm always astounded by people that feel comfortable throwing around the words "faggot" and "nigger" as soon as they get around a bunch of country music folk and nobody else is around.

[Chevgirl357]

Even growing up in the high desert where racism and homphobia is much more common than "down the hill" it seemed like this sort of thinking was on the downward slope, and it may be, but not fast fast enough for those affected by it.

Just playing the country circuit (even in Southern California) I have come across some of the most backwards, hillbilly, bigoted sons of bitches I have ever known so I know it exists elsewhere. I've also spent a lot of time in the Midwest and the South where the veil hiding racism and homophobia is even thinner.

I've met a lot of great people, don't get me wrong. But I'm always astounded by people that feel comfortable throwing around the words "faggot" and "nigger" as soon as they get around a bunch of country music folk and nobody else is around.

Those words make me cringe and I typically speak up and ask people not to talk like that around me. I think when you sit back and say nothing, it makes it acceptable and to me it's just not. Everybody has their own prejudices or stereotypes, I am no exception, but when things like that are said it comes from a place of hatred, and that's just NOT ok.

[WillieCash]

Those words make me cringe and I typically speak up and ask people not to talk like that around me. I think when you sit back and say nothing, it makes it acceptable and to me it's just not. Everybody has their own prejudices or stereotypes, I am no exception, but when things like that are said it comes from a place of hatred, and that's just NOT ok.

I agree and take the same route on my turf.

For example; I was at my neighbor's house and he dropped the N-bomb. I left shortly thereafter without bringing it up because I figure if this guy wants be a dildo on his own property, that's up to him.

But when he came over to borrow a tool and dropped it again I told him as long as he's on my property he's going to have to respect people like my wife's adopted father: A highly decorated career serviceman in the Army that has completed three tours of duty in Iraq and is going to go to Afghanistan soon (that is also black). I then asked him what he has done in service for his country as he makes a point of hanging American flags all over his garage.

He doesn't stop by too often anymore.

[deegee83]

I believe Chely is claiming to be the first country star to "come out." Sounds right to me, although Mary Gauthier was on our setlist last weekend, and I've met her, and, well, she's very openly gay. Guess she is not a regular Nashville country star and is considered alt-country, so she doesn't qualify? Maybe she is not yet a big enough star?

[WillieCash]

Is Wynona openly gay or is that just a rumor?

I imagine a gay woman will have an easier time of it than a gay man. I'd be curious to see what would happen if Big and Rich or Brooks and Dunn came out of the closet and announced they were lovers. I'm not saying or implying they are, I'm just curious how it would be received.

There are a few openly gay local acts (a guy named Levi comes to mind), but I can't think of any big names besides the one I mentioned. alt.country acts have a different set of rules. I think if the majority of the artists in your genre couldn't play a Teabagger rally without a hint of irony your sexual orientation wouldn't come into play.

[KittyLeigh]

Really? It's so hard for me to grasp that people still have this type of ignorance. But it was so apparent with all of the racist jokes I heard at Stagecoach this year around me (not our group). I forget that a lot of coutnry fans are the "good ole boys" with that "old southern" mentality still. I don't even bat an eyelash when people "come out" (boy, lots of "quotes" in here, lol). It's not a big deal to me, normally it's obvious (can we say Clay Aiken and Adam Lambert? Shocker!) and it doesn't change them as an artist. LOL, I JUST found out 2 nights ago that Nathan Lane was gay. I honestly had no idea, just thought he was really theatrical! Anywho, I hope this doesn't effect her career.



Those words make me cringe and I typically speak up and ask people not to talk like that around me. I think when you sit back and say nothing, it makes it acceptable and to me it's just not. Everybody has their own prejudices or stereotypes, I am no exception, but when things like that are said it comes from a place of hatred, and that's just NOT ok.

Well said Chev! I agree. Thanfully I've met some of the nicest people through Country. But I know some of those strerotypical "redneck" folks are still out there and that's just plain sad that it all still exists.