Arts & Entertainment
Kacey Musgraves regrets not standing up for bullied gay kid
the country star penned the pro-LGBT anthem ‘Follow Your Arrow’
Kacey Musgraves (Photo courtesy of Instagram)
Country singer Kacey Musgraves counts the pro-LGBT anthem “Follow Your Arrow” as one of her singles but in an interview with Billboard she revealed she wasn’t always an ally.
Musgraves says in high school she would laugh along when a gay person was being bullied. After a close friend came out to her, she says her views changed.
“At 18, I was a lot more redneck than I am now,” Musgraves says. “I think back to who I was then: being in a small-town high school and seeing a gay guy get made fun of, I’d like, laugh along and not really think much about it. A best friend came out to me right after high school, and that’s when I started getting it – my perspective completely changed.”
After moving out of her small town of Golden, Texas to Nashville, Musgraves was exposed to more diversity.
“I started hanging out at this gay club, called Play, all the time, and I made so many friends,” Musgraves says. “It really hurt my heart that I had ever even been close to being the opposite of that.”
Musgraves was later inspired to write “Follow Your Arrow” and was able to see how far she’s come with accepting the LGBT community.
“I met Shane (McAnally) and Brandy Clark and we ended up writing ‘Follow Your Arrow,’ and it became this unintentional anthem,” she says. “It was really redeeming for me, because I come from where I come from. Part of me felt a little guilty that I was the Arrow girl… it has not always been my viewpoint. But I guess people can change.”
Out & About
Blade Summer Kickoff Party returns to Rehoboth
Politicians slated to speak at annual Blue Moon party
The Washington Blade’s 17th annual Summer Kickoff Party returns Friday, May 17, 5-7 p.m. at the Blue Moon (35 Baltimore Ave.) in Rehoboth Beach, Del.
It’s an exciting election year in Delaware, which is poised to elect its first Black woman senator (Lisa Blunt Rochester) and the nation’s first transgender member of Congress (Sarah McBride).
McBride is scheduled to speak at the party along with several politicos from the area. With the retirement of longtime state Rep. Peter C. Schwartzkopf, a staunch LGBTQ ally, three strong contenders are running to replace him. All three — Marty Rendon, Kathy McGuiness, and Claire Snyder-Hall — are slated to speak at the party. A representative from Blunt Rochester’s campaign is scheduled to speak, along with Kim Leisey, the new executive director of CAMP Rehoboth.
Tax-deductible tickets are $20 and available on Eventbrite or via the Blade’s Facebook page. The party is sponsored by Justin Noble of Sotheby’s, The Avenue Inn & Spa, and Blue Moon.
Andy Cohen, executive producer of “The Real Housewives” franchise and host of “Watch What Happens Live,” will return to Sixth & I on Wednesday, May 8 at 7:30 p.m.
This event will be his fifth appearance at the venue to celebrate the paperback release of his New York Times bestselling memoir, “The Daddy Diaries,” talk about the latest Housewives happenings, and answer audience questions about everyone’s favorite Bravolebrities.
Cohen will be in conversation with Rep. Robert Garcia, who represents California and is the first LGBTQ immigrant to win a congressional seat. Rep. Garcia has also been known to quote from “The Real Housewives” in congressional hearings.
Tickets start at $12 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
“Herses- Purse Frist Extravaganza” will be on Friday, May 3 at 9 p.m. at 1835 14th St. N.W. This will be an evening of dancing and performances, hosted by HAUS of Bambi Award-winning Performance Artist, BUMPER. Refreshments are also available for purchase.
Tickets are $10 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Blade Summer Kickoff Party returns to Rehoboth
Andy Cohen coming to D.C.
Want to dance for a good cause?
Calendar: May 3-9
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HHS reverses Trump-era anti-LGBTQ rule
4th Circuit rules gender identity is a protected characteristic
Pride season has begun
PHOTOS: Capital Pride Pageant
