Lesbian.com, June 12, 2012
Former “American Idol” winner and country music superstar Carrie Underwood may now be counted amongst the celebrities who have come out in support of marriage equality. The singer shared her views during an interview with “The Independent,” a British publication.
In speaking with “The Independent’s” Guy Adams Underwood explained that while she was raised Baptist, she and her pro hockey player husband, Mike Fisher, now attend a nondenominational “gay friendly” Christian church.
“As a married person myself, I don’t know what it’s like to be told I can’t marry somebody I love, and want to marry,” Underwood is quoted as saying. “I can’t imagine how that must feel. I definitely think we should all have the right to love, and love publicly, the people that we want to love.”
Underwood went on to explain that her Christian beliefs are the impetus for her support of marriage equality. “Above all, God wanted us to love others. It’s not about setting rules, or [saying], ‘Everyone has to be like me.’ No. We’re all different. That’s what makes us special. We have to love each other and get on with each other. It’s not up to me to judge anybody.”
It remains to be seen how the singer’s views will be received by her country fan base, but the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) was among the first to laud her support.
“We hope that other country music performers will join in speaking (or singing) out for LGBT equality,” GLAAD officials said in a statement on the group’s website.