Last month a lesbian couple Olivier Odom & her
partner Jennifer Tipton were at Dollywood when
Odom was told to turn her "Marriage is so Gay"
t-shirt inside out because it could be deemed as
"offensive to other visitors" & that Dollywood was
"a family park". Odom complied with the request
but wrote a letter to Dollywood later asking the
park to "implement policies that are "inclusive of
lesbian, gay, bisexual & transgender people" &
"inclusive of all families." She also stated that she
felt Dollywood's policy about not allowing clothing
or tattoos with offensive messages should be more
clearly spelled out.
We were horrified by this incident since Dolly Parton
is a strong gay ally & supporter of marriage equality.
However Dolly Parton has issued an apology to the
offended lesbian couple stating, “I am truly sorry for
the hurt or embarrassment regarding the gay t-shirt
incident at Dollywood’s Splash Country recently”.
(Read the statement in comments….)
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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. 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.
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