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# Brandi Carlile: Dolly Parton ‘took a risk’ by supporting LGBTQ+ people when she didn’t have to
- URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/brandi-carlile-dolly-parton-took-a-risk-by-supporting-lgbtq-people-when-she-didnt-have-to/
- Published: 2026-09-02T13:20:55.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-02T13:20:55.000Z
- Author: Graham Robson
- Tags: News

**Brandi Carlile** has paid an emotional tribute to **Dolly Parton**, praising the late country music icon for supporting LGBTQ+ people at a time when, she said, she “didn’t need to say anything”.

The Grammy-winning singer made the comments as she reflected on Parton’s life and legacy following a moving performance of *I Will Always Love You* during her headline show at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.

Carlile dedicated the song to Parton, with photographs of the country legend displayed behind her as she performed. Afterwards, she shared an emotional message on Instagram describing the concert as “one of the best nights of my life”.

“It’s impossible for me to cross the state line and not think of our beloved Dolly,” Carlile wrote. “I know we’re on our knees right now. But we were all together and it was one of the best nights of my life.

“I hope our celebration of her made it up to heaven last night and that her family in attendance felt proud.”

However, it was Carlile’s tribute to Parton’s long-standing support for LGBTQ+ people that particularly resonated with fans.

Reflecting on why Parton meant so much to her, Carlile said she loved the singer “because she took a risk and accepted me (and all of us) for being gay in a time where she didn’t need to say anything”.

“She has been asked to comment and speak on many things over the years, choosing only to speak on that which brings love and mercy to real people,” Carlile wrote. “She never wavered on accepting anyone for who they were and who they were meant to be.”

Carlile has frequently spoken about Parton’s influence on her career and life, but said her admiration only deepened after the pair met.

“She was obscenely generous, whip smart and possessed the kind of otherworldly discernment I’ll never stop chasing,” she said.

“Dolly was the boss to beat all bosses. She was a musician’s musician, a bona fide rockstar, a preacher and the quickest comedian I ever took a shot from.”

Carlile concluded her tribute by thanking Parton for remaining true to herself throughout her decades-long career.

“Thank you Dolly. You changed the whole world and never let it change you,” she wrote. “Your faith is a light. You are the standard bearer.”

Parton had long been celebrated as an ally to LGBTQ+ communities, consistently advocating acceptance and inclusion throughout her career.