Country music star Dolly Parton has called for a greater acceptance of gays while sending a message of tolerance to homophobic bullies during an interview with CNN chat show host Larry King.
The singer of the original hits 9 to 5, and I Will Always Love You, said: “I think we should be a little more tolerant, a little more accepting and understanding of not just the gays but other people, minorities.” Parton added: “We just don’t have enough love... to live in this world.”
Regarding the bullying of gay people, which has led to a spate of teen suicides in recent months in the United States, the 64 year-old said: “People act the way they do about other people. I just think we need to dig down a little deeper and try to be a little kinder to one another and accept one another for who we are.”
Parton believes her large gay following is due to the fact that she does not judge people on their sexuality. She said: “I have so many fans that always love to come to the shows and they know that I’m not judging them,” and she added: “I don’t think gay people are trying to just be different just to make other people miserable.”
Parton’s comments follow the much-publicised campaign helping victims of gay bullying in the United States. The It Gets Better project, which has seen video dedications from US President Barrack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, was set up to help sufferers, their friends and family after a series of suicides.
Fellow singer Madonna also leant her support to tackling the issue last month during an interview on the Ellen DeGeneres Show.
