Dolly Parton helped me accept being queer and a hick at the same time.

IDK if it's disrespectful or karma farming to post this, and I wish the best for her family in these times, but Dolly Parton did a lot to help me accept that I'm queer. I'm from Upnorth (northern Michigan) in the Woodlands region so there's a lot of conservative attitudes in the area, and I've experienced some hurtful comments from my fellows due to being queer. Dolly Parton is from a rural area too and while Upnorth culture isn't identical to Appalachia, we're kindred people's in many ways, and her uncompromising love and acceptance of people regardless of their sexuality and even support for trans people have been so, so inspiring for me. I can be proud of my culture and see the beauty in our art and customs and I can participate in my culture while bi and trans, and Dolly Parton did a lot to help me embrace my culture even while many within it would scorn me. It's my culture too, and Golly, I won't let anyone take that from me. All that is to say, Rest In Peace Dolly Parton, she'll be fondly remembered for a long time.