Reba McEntire: Don't Hate on Same-Sex Marriage

by Michael Jones · 2009-08-23 20:08:00 UTC
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Reba McEntire

Another celebrity joins the side of equal rights, with country superstar Reba McEntire saying that when it comes to the issue of same-sex marriage, people shouldn't judge.  Seems like pretty simple advice, albeit one that might challenge some of Reba's listeners.  After all, country music fans are far more likely to vote for conservatives than progressives.

McEntire will be interviewed in the upcoming issue of Out Magazine, becoming the second country music star to be featured in the mag (behind Martina McBride).  For McEntire, it's a Biblical principle not to judge LGBT folks.

"I just try not to judge. Don't judge me, and I won't judge you. And that's what it says in the Bible -- 'Don't judge.'"

Perhaps McEntire might want to share those thoughts with a few Lutheran pastors who blame tornadoes on homosexuality, or a couple of evangelicals from Illinois who like to compare LGBT people to Nazis.

McEntire goes on to say that her principle of 'non-judgment' carries over to same-sex marriage, throwing a shout-out to her gay friends.  And her straight ones, too.  Because the issue isn't about religion, it's about love.

"Keep an open mind.  That would be my voice. I have gay friends. I have a lot of straight friends. I don't judge them. I take them for what they are. They're my friends, and I can't defend my feelings for them, other than I like 'em," said McEntire.  "I have gay friends who have partners, and I see where they would want to get married. I understand why. So, I can't judge that."

Very cool to see prominent straight allies - especially ones who might be challenging a portion of their audience - take a public step in support of marriage equality.

Michael Jones is a Change.org Editor. He has worked in the field of human rights communications for a decade, most recently for Harvard Law School.
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