Amy Grant skirted questions about her gay fans for years but earlier this year expressed more unequivocal support in her first gay press interview. (Photo courtesy the M Collective)

Singer Amy Grant, who first made a name for herself in contemporary Christian music in the late ‘70s and throughout the ‘80s then had a string of mainstream pop hits in the ‘90s, plays the Birchmere (3701 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria, Va.) Thursday night. The 7:30 p.m. show has been sold out for weeks (birchmere.com).

Grant gave her first gay press interview to PrideSource in April and expressed compassion and unity for LGBT music fans in measured, somewhat general statements.

She’s been touring this spring and summer in support of her latest album “How Mercy Looks From Here,” which dropped in May and has earned generally favorable reviews. Her recent live shows have found her darting generously throughout her fairly vast discography. Trademark hits like “Baby Baby,” “El Shaddai” and “Saved By Love” are staples of her set list but she often throws in a few deep album cuts as well.