Dolly Parton On Why The Gays Love Her So Much - "They Know That I Completely Love and Accept Them"

Photo: Joe Pugliese

Seven-time Grammy Award winner and music icon Dolly Parton recently took time for a photo shoot and Q&A with Billboard.

Among the subjects discussed was her why she has maintained such a strong fanbase in the LGBT community:

"They know that I completely love and accept them, as I do all people. I've struggled enough in my life to be appreciated and understood. I've had to go against all kinds of people through the years just to be myself. I think everybody should be allowed to be who they are, and to love who they love. I don't think we should be judgmental. Lord, I've got enough problems of my own to pass judgment on somebody else."

And why her theme park, Dollywood, attracts both Christians and gays alike:

"It's a place for entertainment, a place for all families, period. It's for all that. But as far as the Christians, if people want to pass judgment, they're already sinning. The sin of judging is just as bad as any other sin they might say somebody else is committing. I try to love everybody."

The interview appears in the November 1 issue of Billboard.

Check out the video below from the photo shoot: