Listen up, darlings—Ms. Rizzlerina is here to spill the rhinestone-studded tea, and today we’re two-steppin’ straight into the glittery, gritty world of country music! Yeehaw meets yasss queen in this deep-fried chatter about whether country is truly strutting its stuff when it comes to LGBTQ+ inclusion—or still leaving our rainbow darlings in the dust behind the barn.
Grab your cowboy boots and your boldest eyeliner, sugar, because we’re saddling up with none other than Chely Wright—the original country trailblazer who sashayed out of the closet back when the honky-tonk world was still clutchin’ its pearls and pickin’ its banjos with blinders on.
Now, for those who need a little sparkle refresher: in 2010, Chely Wright became the first major country star to publicly come out as gay. And honey, it wasn’t all rhinestones and rainbows. She faced the kind of backlash that could make a steel guitar cry. But did she retreat into the shadows? Oh no, baby—she stood tall in her cowboy hat and said, “Watch me glow.”
Fast forward to today, and Chely’s takin’ a look at the scene from her glittery perch—and while there’s been progress, she says it’s not quite ready for a Pride Parade just yet. The country music industry, according to Ms. Wright, is like that flirty ex you keep giving another chance—they say all the right things in public, but behind the scenes? Still texting toxic behavior.
“If it’s just a matter of what’s happening on stage and in the press, then we’ve come a long way,” Chely shared. “But once you get past the spotlight, deeper in the industry—it’s still complicated.”
It’s giving rainbow-washed realness, but not actual change. Sure, we’ve seen some fabulous new stars like T.J. Osborne of the Brothers Osborne come out, and let’s not forget Lil Nas X riding that Old Town Road with a glitter cannon strapped to his horse. But the question remains—are LGBTQ+ artists being embraced in the boardrooms and backrooms, or are they just good for a quick headline and streaming boost?
Let me tell you something, babes—authenticity shouldn’t be a marketing trend. We’re talkin’ about real people with real voices and real fabulousness, not a brand strategy.
Ms. Wright says there’s still a fear among industry newcomers that coming out could end their rising careers faster than a dropped mic at the Opry. And that fear? It ain’t just paranoia—it’s rooted in years of silent sidelinings, ghosted gigs, and awkward avoidance from radio gatekeepers that still haven’t faced the music.
But here’s the glittering glimmer of hope, dolls: the fans are ready. Fans are streaming, supporting, and showing up for their queer country queens, kings, and non-binary trailblazers with open arms and open hearts. As Chely herself said, the audience is leading the charge—it’s time for the industry to catch up or get left behind in the rhinestone dust.
So here’s my call to all you starry-eyed dreamers in cowboy boots: Keep struttin’ in your truth, keep singin’ your sapphic sass, and never dull your shine for a stage that won’t dim its bias.
Country music may still be tuning its inclusivity banjo, but thanks to truth-tellers like Chely Wright, the chords of change are strumming louder than ever.
Stay fabulous, stay fearless, and keep your glitter boots on standby, ‘cause change is comin’—and we’ll be ready to line dance all over it.
Yours in sass and sequins,
Ms. Rizzlerina 💋✨
