This is Chely Wright. Many of us don't know her (actually, none of us know her) but she apparently is a big star in the Country Music World. A Peoples magazine cover story, a new album and an autobiography - all this for her coming out debut this month. This is better than getting a toaster.
Chely Wright has done lots of important things in her career: Released seven albums, charted numerous hits (including 1999's No. 1 "Single White Female"), started a charitable foundation for music education, and written songs for other artists such as Brad Paisleyand Clay Walker.
However, her latest personal accomplishment just may be her most momentous to date. The 39-year-old singer revealed this morning that she is gay, making her the first major country star to come out publicly.
In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Wright explains why she was reluctant to discuss her sexual orientation for so long. "There had never, ever been a country music artist who had acknowledged his or her homosexuality," she said. "I wasn't going to be the first."
However, "Nothing in my life has been more magical than the moment I decided to come out," she says.
Wright, a small-town girl who grew up in a musical family and released her debut album in 1994, says she's directed her whole life around the dream of making music. Given the conservative bent of the country music world, she decided to put her career ahead of her personal life. "I hid everything for my music," she explained. Link
Well, hats off to you Chely! Good for you for being true to who you are!
Its 2010, and how many celebs have come out??? I've stopped counting!
America, being Gay is no longer a deviant stigma in our culture. It has been decriminalized. Though gay men and women are still battling for equal rights, gay acceptance is on the rise! Gays are visible in almost every arena of American Life and are here to stay. Link
Young people today view homosexuality as common, ordinary or not even an issue anymore - such as being left-handed or having heterochromia (2 different colored eyes). I see our country changing to be accepting and embracing.
Maybe one day, we will see a gay man or woman as a Supreme Court Judge or even President!
And all you homophobic Christians - if the rapture hasn't taken place by then - there has to be a cliff somewhere for you to meet your maker, quickly!
