Comments on: Gays prominent at Amy Grant’s Nashville weekend

By: John Doedy

John Doedy — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 21:12:54 +0000

Amy Grant clearly states in the CD booklet of 'Simple Things' that the song 'Out in the Open' is about self forgiveness, specifically the shame from her divorce. It's not a homosexual endorsement. She doesn't take a stance because she doesn't need to. Christians don't believe in homosexuality and for her to announce it, would just cause a s#! t storm, which is what gays do when people don't agree with their agenda.

By: Lee Streby

Lee Streby — Sat, 02 Feb 2013 18:11:10 +0000

This may be long after this post was originally written, but thank you for for this wonderful article. I’ve been a completely devoted fan of Amy’s since early teen years (I first heard Amy at about 14, I’m now 45). Amy’s path from the sacred to the secular and back has followed my own path through life. I’ve never doubted Amy’s conviction to share the true love and mercy of God with the world. At the same time, I’ve enjoyed Amy’s candid songs about love and life too. I could not make Amy’s Tennessee Weekend, as much as I had wished! That wasn’t a bad decision, because I’m a pre-teen fan that would have behaved badly. If I had come within 10 feet of her, I’d have burst into tears and been a blubbering idiot and no doubt she would have gotten nervous and her securty team might have dragged me away. Whatever. Someday I still dream of meeting Amy and saying “thank you’ for the difference you made in my life.” Yeah, I’m gay… I’ve had a struggle all my life to come to terms with my faith and my relationship with God and my family, but I’m ALL good today. Thanks to Amy’s music, I’m actually still alive, still love the Lord, still love my very devout parents, as well as my partner. I appreciate every heartfelt word Amy has ever written and sung about life, love, faith, and mercy, and that won’t ever change. My biggest wish is that Amy never stops writing and recording new material. She has a phenomenal gift that punctuates my life’s path with meaning. I can’t wait for the next Amy Grant album.

By: CCM vets join forces for Christmas album, tour | Washington Blade - America's Leading Gay News Source

Thu, 13 Dec 2012 16:47:06 +0000

[...] exhibited tremendous songwriting prowess, Becker always rocked harder than her contemporaries like Amy Grant or Twila Paris. Becker enjoyed a great run throughout the late ‘80s and ‘90s but slowed down [...]

By: Matt

Matt — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 18:59:18 +0000

Wow – I’m kind of embarrassed I never thought of all the CCM women I listened to obsessively as a young lad as basically the same thing as all the divas that gay men are notorious for obsessing over growing up. I loved Amy, Margaret Becker, Cece Winans, and Cindy Morgan was a special favourite (I met her twice; once with a hand-made collage/poster that I had her sign before I laminated it). And here I was thinking that all I had to go on for early indicators of my sexuality were the hats I liked to wear to church. Thanks for that :)

By: Skyingman2

Skyingman2 — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 17:06:51 +0000

Great article! David Archuleta is another artist who had a good gay fanbase, at least until he announced he was doing on a two-year Mormon mission in December 2011. David also gamely poses with gay fans, seems accepting, but has so far said nothing about his personal beliefs on the matter. However, his family is known to have gay relatives and openly gay close friends.

By: Eric

Eric — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 22:33:07 +0000

Amy Grant was the first christian artist to record and have a #1 christian hit written by a gay in 1989!!! (from the best gospel album of all time, Lead Me On, which was controversial at the time for discussing real struggles christian people face.) She is noted for this in the Encyclopedia of Christian Music. “What About The Love” written by Janis Ian (well known lesbian singer-songwriter) and Rhonda Fleming!!! Listen to it!!!!
Amy also performed “You Can Sleep While I Drive” with Melissa Etheridge on the Lifetime Special “Women Rock: Girls & Guitars” in 2000!
That’s 2 great statements of support as far as I’m concerned
Can’t believe the gay fans and/or the writer doesn’t know and include this history in his article!!! Very Interesting!!!
Wanted so badly to be there!!!! I LOVE AMY!!!!

By: Wendy

Wendy — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 15:24:58 +0000

Loved the article. I came out at 26 and Amy was already doing the “House of Love” tour. I consider her THE major influence in my life from the years of drug treatment and then finally coming out, Amy had a song for ALL of it. I have seen her in concert more times than I can count and have always smiled a bit at the site of gay fans! They/we are defiantly there!. I would be devastated to find out that she does not support or accept my life and who I love. I have thought about it for years now, “Doubly Good to You” was played at my commitment ceremony and I wondered what she would think. Knowing what I do know about Amy I can’t imagine her feeling anything but love and compassion. If I’m wrong…I don’t think I want to know!! Thanks for your article. P.S. Amy grant live Vol. 1 &2 are awesome!

By: Barb Blue

Barb Blue — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 12:46:28 +0000

Thanks Joey for a great article. I was one of the 550 last weekend. :) Please, please, please write down your thoughts on the DC event! I want to know how it is for you. I have been reluctant to attend the Women of Faith conferences…not sure I would fit in. I’d love your observations.

By: Bruce Gipe

Bruce Gipe — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 00:27:55 +0000

Wow – as a hard core Amy Grant fan since the “Mountain Top” days, the last place I would have expected to find such an in depth and knowledgeable article about her was in the Blade. Well done!!!

By: D. Miller

D. Miller — Thu, 05 Jul 2012 20:13:37 +0000

This article was emailed to me. I enjoyed the earlier sections, but then it sort of lost focus. Overall, though, awesome! Thanks for writing an Amy piece from a gay perspective.

I also want to take the chance to comment on this quote: “…some fans, so eager to glean the slightest glimmer of acceptance (are we really that desperate for validation?)…”

Hmmm. Why would the writer assume someone is desperate for validation just because they have an emotional reaction to how an artist feels about gay rights? Music connects fans to musicians in powerful ways. As a longtime gay fan of Amy (loved her since Age To Age!), I have stated my wish that she’d finally be honest about her beliefs regarding homosexuality/sin and gay rights. This has nothing to do with desperation and everything to do with me being uncomfortable supporting an artist who not only doesn’t stand for equality but might possibly have a separate-but-equal mentality.

In 2012, if a popular musician remained strangely silent on whether they believed in equality for African-Americans, and if an African-American fan then asked the artist to simply state their views, no one would assume the African-American was seeking validation. I certainly wouldn’t expect them to keep purchasing the artist’s music.

Very weird–at least for me–when we get this double-standard with gay rights, even within the LGBT community. After all, gay rights are human rights, and human rights are gay rights. Human rights, IMO, are non-negotiable. I’ve stopped giving people a “pass” if they hide behind religion while propagating their bigotry.

All that said, I have a hunch that Amy Grant actually does support gay rights. It’s past time that she speaks her truth, whatever it may be.