Renowned country music artist Maren Morris has continuously used her platform to express support for the LGBTQ+ community, despite facing criticism along the way.
In a recent essay published by Billboard, she opened up about what she has learned from being an outspoken ally and her determination to continue advocating for marginalized communities.
Morris shared while she has "lost fans along the way," she considers it a natural part of "spring cleaning."
"I don’t want to make three albums and go away forever; this is it for me. I don’t love anything else as much as I love performing and writing songs."
"So, with the effects of the ‘punishment phase’ of speaking out, I couldn’t give a sh*t because I’m going to be doing this for the long haul. You lose some people along the way, but you solidify those that you had from the get-go.”
Morris acknowledged that as a musician, it is impossible to please everyone and she has chosen to surround herself with good people and support causes that uplift marginalized communities rather than engage in online confrontations.
\u201c"Being inclusive is good for business because you open yourself up to the world." \u2014@MarenMorris \u2764\ufe0f\n\nShe shares what she's learned as a voice for change in Nashville and beyond in her interview for Billboard's #Pride issue: https://t.co/vjzZDVrLyA\u201d— billboard (@billboard) 1686152560
Refusing to be swayed by negativity, she takes inspiration from the late Fred Rogers, intending to emulate his compassion and kindness in her approach.
She wrote:
“[C]lapping back on Twitter and expecting a different result doesn’t work for me anymore. I’m going to look to where the people are helping and just Mister Rogers this b*tch.”
Many have praised Morris for speaking out.
\u201c@8NewsNow Good for her\nSo many country music bigots\nWhy do not ever listen\u201d— 8 News Now (@8 News Now) 1686204018
\u201c@TasteOfCountry @MarenMorris Thank you for sticking to your guns despite all the id*ot haters you are brave and fabulous \ud83d\udc51\ud83d\udc51\ud83d\udc51\ud83d\udc51\ud83d\udc51\u201d— Taste of Country (@Taste of Country) 1686167940
\u201c@TasteOfCountry @MarenMorris QUEEN \ud83d\udc51 \nHATERS STAY PRESSED \ud83e\udd17\u201d— Taste of Country (@Taste of Country) 1686167940
\u201c@TasteOfCountry @MarenMorris Maren is such a stand up human being. I just love her\u2764\ufe0f\u201d— Taste of Country (@Taste of Country) 1686167940
\u201c@TasteOfCountry @MarenMorris Queen \ud83e\udd29\u201d— Taste of Country (@Taste of Country) 1686167940
\u201c@TasteOfCountry @MarenMorris I love her \u2764\ufe0f\u201d— Taste of Country (@Taste of Country) 1686167940
\u201cMaren Morris is a true ALLY! https://t.co/NNpN36OECB\u201d— PopCrush (@PopCrush) 1686164539
Through her actions and words, Morris exemplifies the importance of using one's platform to advocate for equality and acceptance.
Last year, Morris got into a Twitter feud with Brittany Kerr Aldean, the wife of country music star Jason Aldean, after Aldean made transphobic comments on Instagram. Morris called Aldean a "scumbag human" and "Insurrection Barbie," to which Aldean responded by saying Morris was "judgmental" and "setting women back hundreds of years."
Fox News host Tucker Carlson later mocked Morris on his show, calling her a "lunatic" and a "fake country music singer" for her support of transgender rights.
Morris responded by selling T-shirts with the phrase "Maren Morris: Lunatic Country Music Person" on them, with proceeds going to the Trans Lifeline and the GLAAD Transgender Media Program.
In March, she made headlines after she dared Tennessee authorities to "arrest me" after she introduced her son to drag queens backstage at the 'Love Rising' benefit concert in Nashville, violating a new law that explicitly targets drag shows and criminalizes "adult cabaret performances" that could be seen by children.