Jennifer Nettles Accepts Award for LGBTQ Support
"Love is love, and all are welcomed," says the Grammy winning Sugarland star.
Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles has been a vocal supporter of LGBTQ rights for many years, and earlier this month she was honored for that activism with a special award.
Nettles was given the Ally for Equality Award by the Human Rights Campaign on March 2nd, taking part in the HRC’s 2019 Nashville Dinner. At the gala ceremony, Nettles was highlighted for her work in raising awareness about the impact of hate speech – especially when it’s directed at LGBTQ youth.
The Grammy winner spoke passionately while accepting the award, calling on her fellow country artists to join her cause.
“#LoveIsLove and all are welcomed.” 🌈💕@HRC was proud to honor @JenniferNettles of @Sugarlandmusic with the Ally for Equality Award at the HRC Nashville Dinner. pic.twitter.com/nBB5X9EhmV
— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) March 18, 2019
“We artists are these bridge builders,” she says. “These artful bridges not only help us to connect ideas, but they help us to connect to each other. And for this reason, we most specifically in the country community have a wonderful opportunity right now.
“I want to encourage all of my peers, all of my open-hearted and inclusive peers and friends in the county genre to let their hearts and voices be heard in support of the LGBTQ community,” Nettles continues. “And the thing is, it doesn’t have to be politically charged or finger-pointing or basic in naming rights and wrong. It can be simply sharing what you feel like. … It can be as simple as making it known on your socials that your tours are inclusive environments where everyone of every color, religion, love, orientation or gender identification is welcomed.”
Nettles goes on to highlight the impact the song “Tony” – written by Patty Griffin about a gay man – had on gay fans who would approach Sugarland after the duo played it in concert. And she implores others to “Be the bridge … that says ‘Love is love, and all are welcomed,’” even for those who don’t yet feel the same way.
Nettles’ bold new track “I Can Do Hard Things” was released in February.
