Country music superstar Dolly Parton gave a diplomatic response when CNNMoney asked her this week about North Carolina’s controversial transgender bathroom law. She had just toured through the state, where they now require people to use the bathroom of their birth sex.
Parton has often been hesitant to weigh in on political topics.
One example came at a press conference in March to announce her latest tour. Parton was asked to
give her thoughts on the presidential election.
She deflected the question in a charming and decisive three-second response.
“Ah, I don’t talk politics or religion,” she said, as the room laughed.
Her comment about the bathroom law, in a video on CNNMoney’s Facebook page, was slightly more substantial. Without addressing the law directly, she began by saying everyone should be treated with respect.
“I don’t judge people,” she said. “I try to not get too caught up in the controversy of things. I hope everybody gets a chance to be who and what they are.
“I just know, if I have to pee, I’m going to pee. I don’t care where it’s going to be.”
Several other artists, like Bruce Springsteen and Ringo Starr, have canceled their shows in North Carolina over the bathroom law. But Parton kept hers as the first stop on a 60-city tour.
Tennessee had been considering a similar measure during this year’s legislative session, but the bill was
withdrawn after long debate and after dozens of corporations came out against it.
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