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Martina McBride: This One's for the Gays

Martina McBride has taken what many might consider a bold step forward for a mainstream country artist. She's given her first-ever interview to Out.com, an online publication directed mainly at the gay community.

"Honestly, I just have to do what's right for me, and what I would tell people is what I believe, which is that tolerance is very important," McBride answers when asked if she'd ever encourage her fans to be tolerant of gays. "I have three daughters, and that's what I teach them. I think we should all be tolerant of each other and embrace each others' strengths and differences and uniqueness and beauty."

McBride is well aware of the potential backlash from her more conservative fans. In fact, they're already filling up the message boards with angry comments about the Out.com article:

"The Almighty GOD created Adam & Eve and not Adam & Steve," writes Matthew Mason.

"She (along with all other parents) MUST teach their children that turning gay is a CHOICE and is not acceptable in today's society," writes another reader.

Others are singing McBride's praises for coming out as a supporter of the gay community:

"Way to go Martina. You join Garth and the Dixie Chicks in being another smart, intelligent, open country star! Not every country fan or performer is some rude, ignorant redneck!" writes Mark.

"Country music needs to drop its homophobia. Thanks for the help. You are a class act," another reader comments.

Growing up in a small Kansas town, McBride says she didn't know any gay people when she was young, yet she always believed the lessons her parents taught her about caring for others. She also reveals that her intense interest in music made her something of an outsider herself.

"In any small town, sports are really important to the high school, and I wasn't very good at sports," she says. "I was always into music. And none of my friends were really into music the same way I was. So it was just different. It was really not very well understood by most of my friends. They didn't tease me about it -- they just didn't really relate. I wasn't necessarily an outcast, but I never really felt like I fit in."

McBride, whose current single, 'Ride,' is being remixed for play in dance clubs, also shares some of her personal style secrets, which could come in handy for drag queens who aspire to perform as Martina in their act. And it all starts with the hair.

"The bigger the better with the hair," she says. "Make it look big -- you know, flowing like a lion, kind of awesome rock star hair. And clothes wise? I always wear heels on stage, even if they're boots. I've never been into flats. I don't know, it just makes me feel ... sexier."

Martina McBride's latest album, 'Shine,' will be released on March 24.


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louisianaman104

Go Martina you are one of the greatest in the industry and so is Reba so the two of you go for it and dont worry about what some think. The gay people are country music lovers too. I have been to a gay bar (country) to see how they are and they were more friendly than most others. I also have gay friends but dont judge them for what they are and they dont judge me.

August 22 2009 at 8:07 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
CelticWolf

And you have proof that God was the writer of the Bible how exactly?

Hey, if that's true, then you could get rich showing that proof to the world. You could also get your beliefs spread far and wide by demonstrating such proof.

My guess is you have no proof, but hey, I'm not perfect. I await your proof.

April 07 2009 at 3:13 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
drjohnweather

On the what would Jesus do comment, let's get this clear. He would plead with homosexuals to turn from their wicked ways and allow Him to lead them to the way everlasting. What that person doesn't understand is that God is righteous and so is His Son. With out sin, with out flaw. Since His Holy Word says homosexuality is wrong, His Word must, and does, stand. Hate directed toward anyone is wrong but support of a destructive life choice is equally wrong. The homosexual community is so adamant against anyone who simply disagrees with them that they've made it public policy, elevating them to a preferred social status and that's very wrong. Since God gave us free will He allows us to decide to follow Him and His ways or not. I don't fault Martina for offering a hand of friendship, I do fault her for withholding the truth about homosexuality and the Truth about eternity. The Bible says that every knee shall bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. The question is will we know Him at that time or not? Scripture tells us overwhelmingly that we can't have it both ways. If Jesus was upset with the hypocrites of his day, as in the officious type of leadership, robbers in His temple, it is sure that He is equally upset with the same. If homosexual activity was ok with God, he would have made us entirely physically different. If standing by His cross is "hate" I choose God and His Son every time. I will not question His sovereignty. Gays need to stop their hate against people of conviction and devotion to God. They're the real offenders and liars.

March 25 2009 at 12:44 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
jamii saylor

I have all her CD"S and DVD"s and would love her no matter what but the fact that she is such a wonderful human being that actually gets what god means by DO NOT JUDGE OTHERS makes me love her even more! The Gays love her and for good reason...she is a DIVA!!!

March 24 2009 at 11:01 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Curt

Look, every god that can be imagined was created for the same specific purpose. We humans created them because we have an insane need to believe that there is something out there that is more powerful and wiser than we are. We believed in these gods that we imagined so vehemently that they eventually came to truly exist. This includes Yahweh, the god that you hypocrites claim to be quoting without knowing the name of. There is irrefutable proof that sexual orientation is not a choice. Y'all can get off your high horses now. I find it strange howenver, that while your "god of love and tolerance" claims that homosexuality is an abomination and those that commit this sin should be put to death (along with a bunch of other noteworthy retarded reasons to be killed), there is a doctrine in my faith that states, "Let my worship be in the heart that rejoices, for all acts of love and pleasure are my ritual." -Charge of the Great Mother. I'm not going to cram my faith down your throat and try to convince you that it's the right way to go for you. It very well may not be. But, I am a pagan, and I worship a multitude of different deities, and none of which demand the death of anyone for anything. How can a god be loving and tolerant, and yet demand the deaths of entire peoples for simply worshipping another deity? Looks to me that he's more of a god of bipolar disorder, really. Please, stop using Yeshu'ah as a poor excuse to be a narrow-minded, bigoted asshole. Yeshu'ah taught love and tolerance and LIVED it. Take a page from his book, if you're going to follow him.

March 24 2009 at 10:45 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
bshep85

David, I think you're one of the few people on here who actually has some sense. No one chooses to be gay. Ask any gay person if they would ever choose their lifestyle and see what they tell you.

And you fundies need to realize not everyone subscribes to your religion. Why can't you all just live and let live? That what Jesus did, and what he would want you to do.

Hooray for Martina!

March 24 2009 at 10:41 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
hunterny62

Martina--love your music. Howsomeever. . . please know that God is loving, forgiving, and just. He is not, however, tolerant of evil or wickedness. Even a casual reading of the Bible reveals that homosexuality is a perversion and wrong (i.e., read Romans chapter 1). Still love your music.

March 24 2009 at 9:39 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
kjm

why can't we all just get along? this is something that we won't agree on so let's just agree to disagree and move on. i applaud martina for standing up for what she believes in and doing what she believes is the right thing to do. anyone remember a little song called "independence day"? without martina doing what she believes is right there wouldn't have been and "independence day" and alot of people wouldn't have gotten the help they need. so many women had the guts to stand up for themselves because of that song and because martina stood up for what she believes in. whether homosexuality is a sin or not doesn't matter. what matters is that we treat people the way we want to be treated, with respect.....

March 24 2009 at 8:47 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
John

Way to go Martina!!!

March 24 2009 at 8:39 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
oneluckygirl2507

I believe that you should Care and respect everyone even if you don't completely agree with their choices such as being homosexual..Tolerance is a word that everyone should learn and try to apply to life..

March 23 2009 at 11:54 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply