This post was submitted by our new TNG contributor, Joshua.

I’m not a “cause” person. At all. You won’t catch me at rallies, or protests, or political speeches, etc. I’m a news junkie – I follow all of the aforementioned goings-on but from a distance.  As dispassionate as I am, sometimes I find myself moved by a particular story.  Chely Wright’s news this week was one such story.

Two things about me made this particular story stand out.

One, my “gay hero” would have to be Genesis from the Real World: Boston season. It’s probably a mix of her struggle and my age (about 16 at the time).  She made me realize it was okay to question and okay to be unsure, something I was able to tell her when the Real World tour came to my university in 2004.  And whether it’s a personality trait or some offshoot of that early connection to a lesbian, this gay man has had some of his most personal connections with some pretty awesome lesbians. It seems like every time my life hit a low point, the best words of wisdom, or the swiftest kick in the ass, came from these amazing ladies.

Two, I love country music. LOVE IT. Singing along, dancing, everything about it- ever since Shania Twain’s “You’re Still the One” and branching out even to the Montgomery Gentry, Toby Keith machismo styles. I even dance to it, heading out to Remington’s here in DC and attending the IAGLCWDC every year (Intl Assoc of Gay and Lesbian Country Western Dancers).  My love for country comes with the knowledge that, like most branches of the entertainment industry, unless you’re a fringe member to start (aka Etheridge, Lang, etc) being gay is a quick way for your star to fall.  Gay isn’t the only way to fall – examples like the Dixie Chicks show that country music as an industry can issue harsh and swift judgments. There are stations to date that STILL won’t play their music due to their anti-Bush stance from 2003.  Lesson being- Don’t stray.

Yesterday, my news eye caught the headline that Chely Wright had come out as a lesbian.  Most of us haven’t heard of Chely Wright; with only a handful of hits and one #1 song back in 1999 she’s not exactly a household name. She hasn’t put out a hit album since the early 2000’s. She has always been someone I’ve enjoyed and I have fun memories of two-stepping to “Jezebel” in UT while I was in college back in 2002. As I read more, I was in awe of her decision. She’s no Etheridge, no k.d. lang.  She’s what many will dub a “lipstick lesbian,” pretty as can be with a high-profile early 2000’s romance to one of country music’s reigning kings Brad Paisley under her belt. This was a risky move at best, as the publicity surrounding her decision was far more likely to result in a loss of fans than an increase.  I said to myself if this album is even halfway decent on iTunes based on the previews I’ll buy this just to support her. I was happily surprised as I previewed it last night to find that it was far better than halfway decent, it was amazing. Crafted from five years of depression and discovery, Wright penned all of her own songs and they wrap you up like a homemade quilt.

Quality alone would have been enough for the music man in me, but wait- there’s more. This mainstream country singer sings about her lady love, with no subtlety. “Look at us now, we’re comin’ up roses…and takin’ up vows….Tennessee tomboy…and feminine girl,” (from “Heavenly Days”). In “Like Me,” she sings “Who’s gonna end up holding your hand? A beautiful woman? Or a tall handsome man? And there’s no doubt they’ll love you but it’s yet to be seen will anyone ever know you like me?” echoing the thoughts I’m sure many individuals have felt.  What amazes me is Chely Wright’s audacity- she’s not a lesbian who’s going to play to the radio and popular sentiment by singing to the fictitious man she doesn’t want she’s going to sing to who she feels for, making her songs both personal and brave.  My hat’s off to Chely Wright, here’s hoping her reception is as warm across the country music industry and among her fellow homosexuals.

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