Every Time Reba McEntire Has Supported The LGBTQ+ Community
Beloved country artist Reba McEntire is loved by many — and rightfully so, considering her bubbly personality, signature fiery hair, and powerful singing voice. The "Queen of Country" is known for many things, including her stunning style and the fact that she looks nearly unrecognizable without makeup with her skin's age-defying glow. However, it's her charming Southern drawl and soulful music that fans love the most. The country star has used her voice to help people in more ways than one by being an outspoken supporter of LGBTQ+ rights. The Oklahoma native has long supported the LGBTQ+ community as an ally, amassing a fiercely loyal fanbase over the years, including folks from all across the queer spectrum.
"You gotta love people for who they are. Accept them, and then go on with life," she said to Pride Source back in 2015. According to McEntire, LGBTQ+ equality and same-sex marriage have remained "very important" issues for the country icon. "I just went to my first gay wedding a couple of months ago in California for Michael and Steven, my two great friends. They've been together for 20 years! I thought that it was not fair, and I didn't understand why they couldn't get married," she added to Pride Source. The "Fancy" singer continues to show solidarity through her work with non-profit organizations geared toward helping the LGBTQ+ community and by taking part in interviews with popular gay publications and websites, such as Out Magazine.
Reba McEntire denounced Tennessee's anti-drag laws
In 2023, Tennessee made history by being the first state to pass a law restricting public drag show performances. The law was then struck down by a federal judge, who deemed it an "unconstitutional restriction on the freedom of speech." During the time between the court's deliberation and ruling, the "Love Somebody" artist spoke to the Los Angeles Times and said she felt "disappointed" that the bill had passed.
That said, the country icon has actively avoided political discussions and has said as much during interviews. She even reminded fans about her stance in a post on X, formerly Twitter, back in 2021. "My job is to entertain ... I'm not there to influence people one way or another how to vote," she told the publication. When asked how she felt about her opinion on the anti-drag bill potentially alienating some of her fans, she added, "I mean, we've got a real problem in this country, and to be worrying about men wanting to dress up as women? God bless 'em to wear those high heels — I feel for 'em. But let's center our attention on something that really needs attention."
Reba McEntire openly supports gay country singers
The "Is There Life Out There" singer is a part of a wave of inclusion and acceptance within the country genre and has publicly voiced her support for country artists who identify as LGBTQ+, such as Ty Herndon, Orville Peck, and Billy Gilman. "They're great singers, and if [coming out] makes them happy I don't see a problem with it at all," McEntire told Advocate. "We're supposed to love everybody, not be so judgmental. If they're happy, then I'm happy for them and I hope they don't get too much flak or criticism [over who they are] because they're talented singers."
Moreover, McEntire has commented on rapper Lil Nas X being the first Black and openly gay artist to accept the CMA award for his song "Old Town Road." Although she told Pride Source in 2020 that she had yet to meet Lil Nas X, she said, "See, here's the deal: You're putting more emphasis on him being gay. To me, I looked right past that. I saw he was a very talented young man who had a vision about this song and he pursued it and it turned into a huge thing. I respected him for that. That he's gay — that didn't change my mind about how much I admired him for pursuing his dream."
She sang about AIDS when stigma dominated the conversation
Reba McEntire's single "She Thinks His Name Was John" sparked much controversy among fans upon its release in 1994. The song, written by Steve Rosen and Sandy Knox, was inspired by Knox's brother, who had died of AIDS, and it's believed to be the first time that a country singer had addressed the AIDS crisis in their music. At the time, the song wasn't well-received and the overall reception proved disappointing for McEntire's standards, even though it appeared on Billboard's Hot Country chart.
The conversation around AIDS at the time was so stigmatized that the record company didn't initially intend to release "She Thinks His Name Was John" as a single. Even from those who were actively engaging in the discussion, there was backlash that the song framed an issue that was primarily a problem in the LGBTQ+ community through a conservative, hetero-normative lens. "It represents the character's point of view," lyricist Knox said in defense of the song back in 1994, per News & Record. "It's her judgment." Regardless of the backlash, the song did encourage more much-needed discussion around the disease. "We had tremendous response to the song whenever we played it as an album track. So many people called in who knew somebody with the disease," Dallas-based radio program director Brad Chambers explained. "In many conversations with [the record company] MCA, we tried to convince them that this was the song to go with. I guess they were afraid of controversy at first."
Reba McEntire works alongside GLAAD to support the LGBTQ+ community
In 2015, the "I'm a Survivor” singer showed solidarity with the gay community by speaking up in a YouTube video by GLAAD, a non-profit organization advocating for awareness and LGBTQ+ acceptance through national and local programs. The clip was created as part of the #GotYourBack social media campaign, where regular folks and A-list celebrities pledged to stand up as allies for the LGBTQ+ community by posting online. "I am so proud of you and all those in country music and beyond who are standing up today to say that we are all God's children. Just know that I've got your back," she says in the video.
Reba McEntire has an ongoing relationship with the organization and has participated in many events designed to support those who identify as LGBTQ+. For instance, in 2020, the singer-actor shared a post on X (formerly known as Twitter) to take part in GLAAD's Spirit Day, a yearly event held to stand up against bullying for LGBTQ+ youth.
Reba McEntire mentored the first openly gay contestant on The Voice
Gospel and R&B singer Asher HaVon was the first openly gay artist to win first place on the singing competition "The Voice" in 2024. McEntire was one of the main mentors on the show and acted as HaVon's mentor during the series' 25th season. When asked about his experience working with the country legend, HaVon told GLAAD, "Reba created such a safe place for me to come in and be my authentic self. It was so easy to let down walls that I had built over the years. It was just such a great time with her."
What's more, HaVon shared that being told "I'm proud of you" by McEntire was one of the highlights of his time in the competition. "Hearing that means the world, because you're not proud of someone I'm pretending to be, but you're proud of exactly who I am showing you I am," HaVon added.