'I do not judge': Dolly Parton weighs in on Tennessee's anti-trans laws as she supports LGBTQ+ community
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Dolly Parton, who has never been afraid to share her thoughts with her fans, shared her thoughts on the anti-transgender bills passed in Tennessee earlier this year.
Though she chooses not to make any political statement, the legendary singer had her say on recent anti-transgender bills passed in Tennessee.
"I try not to get into the politics of everything. I try to get into the human element of it. I have some of everybody in my own immediate family and in my circle of employees," the artist told The Hollywood Reporter.
The 77-year-old continued, "I’ve got transgender people. I’ve got gays. I’ve got lesbians. I’ve got drunks. I’ve got drug addicts — all within my own family. I know and love them all, and I do not judge."
Dolly Parton expresses pain over LGBTQ+ struggles
Parton also said that she sees "how broken-hearted they get over certain things" within the LGBTQ+ community and understands "how real they are."
Standing by them, Dolly told the outlet, "I know how important this is to them. That’s who they are."
"They cannot help that any more than I can help being Dolly Parton, you know, the way people know me."
The ‘Jolene’ crooner concluded, "If there’s something to be judged, that is God’s business. But we are all God’s children and how we are is who we are."
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Tennessee passed laws against transgender community
In March, Tennessee enacted legislation that has been criticized for its perceived discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community.
The law redefines "sex" as "an individual's unchangeable biological sex determined by anatomy and genetics present at birth, supported by evidence of biological sex."
During the same month, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed a law prohibiting transgender athletes from participating in sports.
Parton has also earlier expressed her support for the LGBTQ+ community.
She told Pride Source, “Actually, I’ve had many people through the years who I have helped to feel good about themselves."
She added, "I say, ‘You need to let people know who you are and you need to come on out. You don’t need to live your life in darkness – what’s the point in that? You’re never gonna be happy; you’re gonna be sick. You’re not gonna be healthy if you try to suppress your feelings and who you are.'”
The '9 to 5' singer said, “I have a huge gay and lesbian following and I’m proud of ’em, I love ’em and I think everybody should be themselves and be allowed to be themselves whoever they are, whatever they are.”
Parton felt, "They’re very emotional and tenderhearted and more open to feelings."
"So I’ve just learned the same things I try to learn from everybody. I know they’re good people and I’ve tried to learn from that as well. Most of the gays I know just want to make the world a more beautiful place like I do,” she said.