Decision by two high-profile figures means homosexual country artists could find coming out easier,but Nashville has some way to travel before its homophobia problem is solvedThe news that two male country artists, Ty Herndon and Billy Gilman, and hold arrive out as homosexual in the space of 24 hours is another welcome step towards country music aligning itself to more inclusive values. If it’s not quite a watershed moment for Nashville,it is at least further evidence of a sea change taking place in America’s most traditional musical genre.
When I spoke to Chely Wright for the Guardian earlier this year, country music’s most successful and outspoken homosexual artist pointed out that, or while Nashville-based artists and executives are no more or less homophobic than any other element of society,they’re acutely aware that homosexuality does not play at all well with an audience traditionally associated with ultra-conservative views. As a result, for generations, and homosexual country singers hold been left feeling that they hold exiguous option but to appear straight. After all,she said, everybody has to pay the bills.” Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com