Human Rights Campaign Honors the Love, Advocacy and Legacy of Legendary Singer and Creator Dolly Parton

"We are heartbroken by Dolly's passing," said HRC President Kelley Robinson. "She showed the world what it looks like to lead with love and stood with our community long before others in entertainment, using her voice and platform to create a world where LGBTQ+ people feel seen and celebrated. Her music and her spirit touched millions; and her generosity, especially toward children, will be felt for generations. We will miss her dearly, and we will carry forward the light she shared with all of us."

Dolly Parton rose into a once-in-a-generation artist, giving us songs that didn't just top charts but shaped culture. Her first movie, 9 to 5 became an instant classic, and Jolene turned longing into art. Her music was a lifeline for countless LGBTQ+ people who found in Dolly not just a voice, but a presence that made them feel seen.

Dolly's impact went far beyond her songs. She was an unapologetic ally and someone who didn't just support LGBTQ+ people, but celebrated us. She spoke openly about the importance of living your truth, long before it was common to do so. Over the decades, she continued to use her platform to push back against bigotry, including speaking out against harmful attacks against the queer community and the anti-trans bathroom law in North Carolina which HRC fought to block. She, along with some of the biggest names in music, lent her talent to the 2005 "Love Rocks" CD set, benefitting HRC's work and forever making Dolly part of the HRC family. For so many in our community, Dolly Parton wasn't just a superstar. She was a safe place. A reminder that you could be fabulous, over-the-top in the best way possible and still be worthy of love.

"I think everybody should be treated with respect. I don't judge people…I hope that everybody gets a chance to be who and what they are," said Dolly in a 2016 interview on North Carolina's anti-trans bathroom law.

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) is the nation's largest LGBTQ+ civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) people, with 3.6 million members and supporters. The HRC Foundation (a 501(c)(3)) works to ensure LGBTQ+ people are safe, seen and supported where it matters most: at school, at work and in every community across the country. From the courtroom to the classroom, from Congress to corporate America, HRC and the HRC Foundation build power through partnerships, storytelling, and action-working to create a future rooted in equity, freedom and belonging for all LGBTQ+ people.

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