On the record · Updated October 18, 2026
singer
18 things Dolly Parton said, verbatim, from August 26, 2026 to August 28, 2026, each linked to where it ran. Grouped by the questions at issue, with who supported, disputed, or qualified each one.
Positions
Qualifies
“I don’t consider myself a feminist,” she said, “but I’m feminine. And I believe that women should be treated with respect and be allowed to do whatever.”
The Federalist Dolly Parton dies at 80, Trump lowers the flags for a week, and a Texas judge cites her by name in striking down the state's drag ban ›
Others on this question
“And if that's not feminism, I don't know what is.”
More on the record
As printed
“Well, trash is what I'm going to grow up to be.”
on Dolly Parton embracing a rural, working-class identity others dismissed
Jacobin Dolly Parton Used Her Voice to Tell Working-Class Stories ›
As printed
“This actually started because my father could not read and write, and I saw how crippling that could be,”
on her father's illiteracy inspiring the Imagination Library and the Jewish PJ Library program
The Forward Dolly Parton’s legacy includes the Jewish children’s book program she inspired ›
As printed
“I have as many Republican fans as I do Democrats,”
on her strategy of avoiding political sides to keep broad fan appeal
As printed
“I don’t believe that I should offend people that don’t have that same opinion by voicing my own opinion,”
on her reasoning for staying out of politics despite pressure to take sides
The Federalist America Can’t Make Shared National Treasures Like Dolly Parton Anymore ›
As printed
“I understand people having to make themselves known and felt and seen. And of course Black lives matter. Do we think our little white asses are the only ones that matter? No!”
on Dolly Parton's rare public support for Black Lives Matter
As printed
“I think everybody should be treated with respect . . . I hope that everybody gets a chance to be who and what they are.”
on her response to a North Carolina bathroom bill targeting transgender people
As printed
“I just know if I have to pee, I’m gonna pee. I don’t care where it’s going to be.”
on North Carolina's 2016 HB2 bathroom bill targeting transgender people
The Advocate Dolly Parton’s chauffeur and assistant of 30+ years was a trans man she supported and loved ›
As printed
“I’ve got transgender people. I’ve got gays. I’ve got lesbians. I’ve got drunks. I’ve got drug addicts — all within my own family. I know and love them all, and I do not judge.”
on defending trans family members amid Tennessee's ban on gender-affirming care
The Advocate Dolly Parton’s chauffeur and assistant of 30+ years was a trans man she supported and loved ›
As printed
“We are all God's children”
on Dolly Parton grounding LGBTQ acceptance in Christian faith rather than politics
Associated Press For many queer Christians, Dolly Parton's faith was a beacon ›
As printed
“I wanted Brigitte to know that she is not screaming into the void and that we see her work”
on her message of support to drag performer Brigitte Bandit amid the ban lawsuit
MSNBC Judge cites Dolly Parton — a lot — in striking down Texas drag show ban ›
As printed
“Sure, why shouldn't they get married? They should suffer just like the rest of us.”
on her 2009 joking response backing marriage equality for gay couples
The Advocate Dolly Parton claimed gay people as family when country music wanted us invisible ›
As printed
“some are preachers, some are gay, some are addicts, drunks and strays, but not one of them gets turned away, because family”
on a lyric naming gay people as family, called a milestone in mainstream country music
The Advocate Dolly Parton claimed gay people as family when country music wanted us invisible ›
As printed
“I don’t practice it. I live it.”
on her resistance to organized religion despite constant talk of God
The Christian Century Dolly Parton s faith was hard to measure ›
As printed
“I'm not that religious, but I'm very, very spiritual. I grew up in very religious surroundings. I grew up with a Bible background, and I'm glad I did.”
on the religious upbringing behind her spirituality and songs like Coat of Many Colors
As printed
“I’ve often made the statement that I would never stoop so low as to be fashionable.”
on her deliberate embrace of an exaggerated image instead of chasing trends
Washington Blade Music icon and dear LGBTQ friend Dolly Parton remembered ›
As printed
“I know they make fun of me. But actually, all these years people have thought the joke was on me, but it’s actually been on the public. I know exactly what I’m doing, and I can change it at any time.”
on reclaiming control over her public image after years of being mocked
Washington Blade Music icon and dear LGBTQ friend Dolly Parton remembered ›
As printed
“But it's actually been on the public. I know exactly what I'm doing, and I can change it at any time.”
on reclaiming control over her public image after years of being mocked
Further reading
Paid link. If you buy a book through this link, Bookshop.org pays us a small commission and sends a share of the sale to independent bookstores.
In their own words
Dolly Parton · 1994
Parton's memoir covers her childhood in a Tennessee mountain cabin, her move to Nashville, her music and film career, and her business ventures.
People, on the record
The daily brief connects each person’s exact words to the question they addressed and the people who answered. Free.
Arrives around 6am ET. Free, and it stays that way.
Cancel anytime. Nothing on the site goes behind a paywall.
One payment through Stripe. No account needed.
