Rascal Flatts Encourage Gay Fans to "Love Who You Love"
Rascal Flatts will release a new tune on iTunes Tuesday (March 24) called "Love Who You Love," which was written as a reminder to show affection to the people closest to you. However, if you want to interpret it as a message of acceptance toward the gay community, that's OK, too, according to the band.
"We actually have some gay people that work with us, and we have a lot of friends that are gay, too, and I know that this song has inspired them," said singer Gary LeVox during an interview at CMT earlier this month. "I know that coming out was tough on their parents and on them and the whole entire family. For a long time, some of them didn't get to hear ‘I love you' from their dads or be accepted in that way. ... It's helped a lot of our friends."
"That's what's cool about our music," says guitarist Joe Don Rooney. "You can interpret (it like) that. If you get that -- it's perfect. If you are someone who's gay or someone who's straight, you still feel something from the song, and that's what we want."
"We don't judge anybody's lives," says bassist Jay DeMarcus.
The song may strike some listeners as similar to Garth Brooks' 1992 hit, "We Shall Be Free," which was interpreted by some reluctant radio programmers as endorsing the gay lifestyle -- particularly the lyric, "When we're free to love anyone we choose." However, country stars have continued to speak out since then. Dolly Parton earned an Oscar nomination for writing "Travelin' Thru" after seeing TransAmerica, a film about a transgendered person. Martina McBride, Reba McEntire and Trisha Yearwood have given interviews with the gay press, while Emmylou Harris and Lee Ann Womack have performed at the Human Rights Campaign's annual gala dinner in Nashville.
"Love Who You Love" will be the first track on their new album, Unstoppable, which will be released in its entirety on April 7.
©2008 Country Music Television, Inc., a Viacom company. A division of
Jasper says:
As a gay country music fan, this makes me really happy. I will be purchasing this single and am looking forward to hearing it! <3
K says:
Good for them for doing this. It’s nice to see celebs who are open-mided towards thier fans like these guys are. I’ve heard a preview of the single and it sounds great (:
Bernadette Derry says:
Good for them for having single that everyone can relate to,not every song can do that:)
Randy Travis’s beard says:
Good for them. Too many country singers don’t recognize their gay fans.
Always Right says:
This article is gay!
Jenny says:
Good for them. It’s about time country artists started recognizing and accepting diversity. For too long the media only reports the homophobia that exists in country music. Glad to hear good news for a change. This just gives me yet another reason to love them. :)
Chris says:
Always Right? Always Right Wing!
Anyway, great song.
MusicalJustice says:
Long overdue and much appreciated by those of us who don’t feel that loving country music means being biased or prejudice towards homosexuals or anyone else.
Deb says:
Oh please, I think it’s sick and a abomination of GOD!
And it makes me think twice about ever buying Rascal Flatts music again.
Kim says:
I don’t mind have a problem with gays, but I really don’t appreciate being stereotyped as a narrow minded bigot because of what music I listen to and where I’m from. That’s not fair. I won’t tell you how to live you don’t tell me how to live. You don’t stereotype me, I don’t stereotype you. Its a two way street here.
Tommy says:
Deb - if you think it’s an abomination, then I strongly encourage you not to experiment sexually with other women. However, what does that have to do with Rascal Flatts? Their song says “love who you love” without any hidden agenda. While some could interpret it as encouraging love regardless of what some people think, others will hear it exactly as it was meant: as a reminder to love with all your heart and never forget the beauty and joy you receive from those who enrich your life in so many ways.
Kim - I agree with you. Being stereotyped is ridiculous, and you have every right to be upset. I was born in Philly, lived in Virginia and Oregon and now reside in North Carolina, and I will tell anyone who asks that I am proud to live in the South, I love country music, and I have yet to meet anyone who honestly fits any stereotype. Labels are for cans of soup, not people.
As for the song, I like it. It’s not as amazing as “What Hurts the Most” or “I’m Movin’ On” (one of my all-time favorite songs), but it’s a great song nonetheless.
Nilsby says:
About time! This song carries a good message that can be enjoyed by anyone. Country music fans deserve more credit than they’ve been getting — they’re just as likely to be openminded and accepting as anyone else. I’m glad to hear a song that reflects that.
Shawn says:
Ok, all you country music types will laugh, but until I stumbled upon someone mentioning this song on Twitter this afternoon I’d never heard of Rascal Flatts.
With that said, I just want to thank them for this beautiful and moving song. If it lifts the spirits of even just one young kid struggling with coming out, it will have done it’s job. Thanks again!
Oh…I think I may give country music another chance. ;-)
henjing says:
Gay Pride! :)
strong p1 from dallas says:
If you listen to this song it will give you aids. gay people know what I am talking about. If your 2 hot women disregard this message.
TrueCountryFan says:
It’s a shame to see country music being watered down and turned into songs about fruit cakes loving each other if they want, rather than what country started out as a hard working spirit and person who has deep troubles. Way to go Rascal for moving to the oh-so-popular liberal media and hoping on the bandwagon of the reverse discrimination crowd that loves to make people feel sorry for a choice they made to be gay. Thanks for making many people’s decisions easier of not listening or supporting any longer.
Theresa Jannaro says:
did rascal flatts opened for ricky skaggs and for george jones and what year and where
gayle brannan says:
America needs to wake up and repent, we are losing our souls.
God does love gay people but he doesnt support the lifestyle.
I pray rascal flatts realizes that God has positioned them to advance his purpose. I will pray for all of you
Alexa says:
I love it. As a gay country music fan, its nice to get a song that I can listen to and not have to ignore lyrics.
President Josiah Bartlet: Good. I like your show. I like how you call homosexuality an abomination.
Dr. Jenna Jacobs: I don’t say homosexuality is an abomination, Mr. President. The Bible does.
President Josiah Bartlet: Yes it does. Leviticus.
Dr. Jenna Jacobs: 18:22.
President Josiah Bartlet: Chapter and verse. I wanted to ask you a couple of questions while I have you here. I’m interested in selling my youngest daughter into slavery as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. She’s a Georgetown sophomore, speaks fluent Italian, always cleared the table when it was her turn. What would a good price for her be? While thinking about that, can I ask another? My Chief of Staff Leo McGarry insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly says he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself or is it okay to call the police? Here’s one that’s really important because we’ve got a lot of sports fans in this town: touching the skin of a dead pig makes one unclean. Leviticus 11:7. If they promise to wear gloves, can the Washington Redskins still play football? Can Notre Dame? Can West Point? Does the whole town really have to be together to stone my brother John for planting different crops side by side? Can I burn my mother in a small family gathering for wearing garments made from two different threads? Think about those questions, would you? One last thing: while you may be mistaking this for your monthly meeting of the Ignorant Tight-Ass Club, in this building, when the President stands, nobody sits.
I miss America says:
Man I just lost so much respect for Rascal Flatts. Don’t think I’ll be able to buy their music anymore. How do so many Americans support such a perverted and wrong lifestyle? Whatever happened to morals and values…sheesh.
Jon says:
BTW Alexa, besides that fact that your post makes little since, you obviously don’t understand the Bible. Much of the Old Testament is the law which only applied before Jesus died on the cross, and some of it may be quoting som1 other than God. Your taking things out of context without any understanding. Please understand the context and meaning of things b4 you preach them. Ridiculous.
B says:
Rascall should not be encouraging the homosexual lifestyle. Love them? Yes. I have friends that are gay that I really care about, but support their lifestyle? No.
This really disappoints me because I am a fan of all the music Rascall has put out. I am really debating on whether or not to purchase “Unstoppable” or tickets to their upcoming concert in STL.
Justin says:
No matter who you are, who you love…God is Love….just love the music and don’t turn this into another unneeded political battle…we have enough of that going on as is….
sixpack says:
Well, this should not surprise anyone, as its a well known fact that not only is rascal flatts not country music, but an abomination to it. Hank Sr. would be rolling in his grave if he knew this kind of popifacation of country music was going on. Everyone and their dog knows that Gary if not the whole band is homosexual. Which I have no problem with but for god’s sake just be who you are not who you’re not.
Geisteswissenschaften says:
Disordered loves are a fast track to disaster.
You know MTV set this up a long, long time ago. Ever since they started issuing the songs they wanted this pre-fabricated band to play music award on cue. They worked so hard to build up the band’s credibility so that you would accept whatever they put out.
Call your radio jockey each time you hear this song and complain!!! Tell them you do not want to listen to homo-country.