Dolly Parton Speaks Out About Anti-Gay Incident At Theme Park

We love Dolly Parton and Dolly Parton loves us, but like any relationship, there's occasionally going to be a little drama we need to work through. Late last month a lesbian visitor to Parton's Splash Country Water Park in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., was stopped by a gate attendant who told her she couldn't enter unless she took off a shirt that read "Marriage is so gay." The woman argued with the employee but eventually turned her shirt inside out so that her family could be admitted.

As you can imagine, this encounter didn't sit so well with Dolly's LGBT fans. Most couldn't believe that the singer, who has long been an ally, would be pleased to learn about the incident and according to an ABC statement, she wasn't:

""I am truly sorry for the hurt or embarrassment regarding the gay and lesbian t-shirt incident at Dollywood's Splash Country recently. Everyone knows of my personal support of the gay and lesbian community. Dollywood is a family park and all families are welcome." Dolly adds that the policies on clothing or signs with profanity or controversial messages are in place to protect the person wearing the shirt and keep disturbances at the park to a minimum. Dolly concludes saying, "I am looking further into the incident and hope and believe it was more policy than insensitivity. I am very sorry it happened at all."

No sweat, Dolly. But maybe a little sensitivity training would do your park employees some good?

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