Gay country artist Adam Mac withdraws from a Kentucky music festival due to government warnings of widespread anti-LGBTQ protests across the state.
“It was made aware to me that there were people in the town that were very upset that they would have a gay person headline the festival.”
Adam Mac was thrilled to headline his hometown music festival this weekend. The singer was asked to perform at the annual Logan County Tobacco and Heritage Festival in Russellville, Kentucky. However, his joy stopped when he got a call from a “sweet” government employee.
“She explained to me that there were some board members and some people in town who had questions about what kind of performance I would be putting on at the Tobacco Festival, and wanted to ensure that I would not be promoting homosexuality or sexuality in a family-friendly environment,” he said on Instagram. “I don’t know what they expected I was going to do other than just come and put on a hell of a show, like we do. It was made aware to me that there were people in the town that were very upset that they would have a gay person headline the festival.”
Adam Mac’s Hometown Letdown
Mac expressed his disappointment upon realizing that “there are people that are angry that they have asked me to come perform in a town that I was raised in for 21 years of my life.”
“[It’s] just so disheartening, and I went back and forth all night long about what is the right thing to do, because a part of me feels like it would be letting down the people who need to see me most there in that space and the people who just were so excited for me to come home and put on a show,” he added. “It also feels like if I don’t do the show, I’m caving and letting those people win, which, also, if you know me is not something that I like to do. It’s hard for me to say this, but I think the best move forward is to cancel the show and let them book someone else who will not be as controversial.”
Country Music Icons Rally Behind the Cause
Historically, queer musicians have faced challenges due to stereotypes and biases in the genre. Recently, Maren Morris has been a vocal LGBTQ+ rights advocate, highlighting the industry’s flaws.
“I thought I’d like to burn it to the ground and start over,” she told the LA Times regarding the country music space. “But it’s burning itself down without my help.”
Mac is wearing a Maren Morris t-shirt in his post, and Morris even commented on her support for the singer on Instagram. “You are loved. I’m sorry this happened but glad you’re sharing it here,” she wrote. “If You Go Down” singer Kelsea Ballerini also responded writing, “this is heartbreaking and so disappointing. i’m really sorry. you’ve got your army in these comments.”
Mac is performing on Friday night in Nashville and said this performance will be everything he hoped the festival would have been. “It is going to be all love.”
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