April 22, 2015 :: 3:38 AM
LGBT acceptance is slowly growing in the world of country music, and GLAAD hopes to capitalize on that emphasis with a new one-off concert in support of that very cause.
The Concert for Love and Acceptance will take place in Nashville, Tennessee during the CMA Music Festival, and hosts Ty Herndon and Meghan McCain will be joined by an array of performers and special guests including Melinda Doolittle, Shelly Fairchild, Billy Gilman, Jennifer Knapp, Jamie O’Neal, and Pastor Stan Mitchell of GracePointe Church.
“Music connects us and transcends our differences,” said GLAAD President & CEO Sarah Kate Ellis in a press release. “For the first time in Music City, artists will join together to voice support for the LGBT community and help us accelerate acceptance, not only in country music, but across the nation.”
Herndon, one of the few openly gay male country music stars, hopes it will help young fans who might be struggling with their sexuality. “I truly hoped that the day would come when I could host an event encouraging an environment that would make it easier for young people at risk to get help and feel comfortable about who they are, and not have to go through the same struggles that I have faced,” he said.
Between Herndon’s coming out late last year, Steve Grand dropping his debut album (though don’t call it just country) and events like this, it looks like even country music might be ready to embrace LGBT musicians and fans, something that might have seemed impossible just a few short years ago.
The Concert for Love and Acceptance will be held on Friday June 12th, and you can find out more and purchase tickets from GLAAD’s website.