Lexington LGBTQ community looks to Dolly Parton’s message of acceptance, Pride Center chair says

A local LGBTQ leader in Lexington on Thursday discussed the legacy of entertainer Dolly Parton and its connection to broader acceptance for LGBTQ residents, citing Parton’s public support over decades of cultural change. In a WKYT interview published August 28, Jason Schubert, who chairs the Lexington Pride Center, said Parton “stood with the community” at a time when attitudes toward LGBTQ people were shifting but often faced backlash.

Schubert’s remarks focused on how Parton’s public statements and visibility, according to his account, helped reinforce the idea that LGBTQ people should be treated with dignity and belonging. He described Parton’s legacy as part of a longer arc of community advocacy and changing norms, rather than a single moment tied to one event or location.

The Lexington Pride Center leader said the organization’s work is rooted in serving LGBTQ people and supporting community connections. While the report did not provide specific programming details, Schubert’s comments positioned Parton’s message as consistent with the mission of fostering inclusion and helping people feel safe in their families and neighborhoods.

Schubert also linked Parton’s influence to how LGBTQ residents across Lexington and Central Kentucky have navigated changing legal and social landscapes. He suggested that cultural figures can affect everyday behavior, including how employers, institutions, and neighbors choose to respond when LGBTQ rights and identities become part of public life.

WKYT’s report did not cite any direct policy actions by Parton tied to Lexington, nor did it detail any specific events planned by the Pride Center around the remarks. Instead, the coverage presented Schubert’s comments as a reflection on acceptance and community memory, timed to Parton’s continuing public prominence.

The Lexington Pride Center chair’s statements come amid ongoing national debates about LGBTQ rights and public expression, though the WKYT story was focused on local community perspective rather than legal developments. As of the publication date, the report provided no indication of formal actions, fundraising events, or hearings connected to the comments, leaving the practical next steps for the Pride Center to be determined through its regular public communications.