Queer Country Artists Are Rewriting Narratives, Increasing Their Impact – Billboard

When Ty Herndon wrapped his 10th and final Concert for Love and Acceptance on June 2, he delivered his first hit, the 1995 release “What Mattered Most,” then broke into an a cappella version of the classic hymn “How Great Thou Art.” A gospel song isn’t necessarily expected at an event celebrating the LGBTQ community, but Herndon grew up singing church music in Alabama, and he had reason to be thankful. When he gave the first Love and Acceptance show in 2015, Billy Gilman was the only other gay artist on the bill. The rest of the lineup consisted of straight artists offering their support as allies.  For the 2025 edition, the onstage contingent was much larger, and there were even more queer country artists in the audience. Over the 10-year run of Herndon’s annual show, the volume of out-and-proud gay country artists has increased significantly, as has the ability for them to earn a living while telling their authentic story. Trending on Billboard “I was a shell of a human,” says queer artist Adam Mac, recalling life before he had publicly come out. He attended the first Love and Acceptance concert as a fan, and he found both the show
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