Toby Keith, Country Singer, Weighs In On Gay Marriage, Don't Ask Don't Tell

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Toby Keith says gay marriage doesn't bother him and trying to stop it wastes time and money.

The country superstar tells "CMT Insider" airing Saturday on CMT that he doesn't see the reason behind getting into people's personal lives. He says refusing a marriage license to people because they are gay won't stop them from living together, so it accomplishes nothing.

Keith also weighed in on the military's now-repealed "don't ask, don't tell" policy that banned gays serving openly in uniform. He says that anyone with the training and passion should have the right to defend the country, adding: "Somebody's sexual preference is, like, who cares?"

The "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue" singer has taken part in nine USO tours to entertain U.S. troops overseas.

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Comments

[cndvd]

11:13 AM on 10/05/2011

I agree with Toby Keith. But being gay (the act) may have consequences, according to the Bible (I'm not a Bible thumper too) there is bad bad consequences and I wonder what that is. So, I fear for gay people from the stand point of "why the Bible says this and if it is true" ...why is the Bible so condemning of that sexual act,(especially male). Hope it's not eternal damnation ....cause that would be scary price to pay. If there is such a thing. And the Bible may not be true, but what if it is.....what if that act makes you "possessed" in the after life....holy shit, because you see people that have to run an exorcism on them in this life out of them. Which I wonder what is that from....though probly from not being gay, but you never know.

[Jim Hinson]

03:50 PM on 10/04/2011

tell it like it is, toby.

[Wuud52]

01:13 AM on 10/04/2011

Obviously can never judge a book by its cover.

One book has Toby and the other has Hank Williams Jr...

[OnTheRoadAgain]

12:13 AM on 10/04/2011

I have heard one of his songs. "Beer for my Horses" with Willie Nelson. AFIK it was a pretty hard slam of one George W. Bush. Sounded pretty liberal.

[Maverick83702]

08:15 PM on 10/03/2011

Welp!... cross this singer off my list! Boy! the list is getting longer by the day... lol. Seems our culture has hit full free-fall into the homosexual abyss. Sad... really sad.

[Since59]

03:03 PM on 10/04/2011

Well I can't imagine how Mr. Keith can possible recover after being crossed off your list. Seems like our culture is evolving. As dinosaurs like you die out they are being replaced by younger generations who are far more inclusive and tolerant of difference. Hallelujah!

[Jason N]

04:55 PM on 10/04/2011

I'd wager my entire salary that you call gay people boycotting anti-gay companies "economic terrorism" and "taking away their right to free speech."

[Leah Watts]

06:46 PM on 10/03/2011

Toby Keith is a Democrat who recently said that millionaires and corporations should stump up and pay their fair share of taxes. Forbes rates him top of the list for money-earners in the country music field, and he actually says that it's unpatriotic not to pay taxes, that he would rather pay more and have less in the US than have more elsewhere. If the Democratic party wants to make inroads where it matter in the South, perhaps DWS should think about using people like Keith, Tim McGraw and Alan Jackson, all Democrats, to serve the party.

[SeeknDestroy Again]

05:57 PM on 10/03/2011

I agree with TK.

Having said that, I now need a shower.

Gonna scrub REAL hard,

[jwells66]

05:42 PM on 10/03/2011

Only in the South can we glorify someone's tolerance as being "a stand for something". Btw, most people are actually fairly tolerant down here, it's just not something that we feel the need to repetitively discuss.

[Leah Watts]

06:47 PM on 10/03/2011

Thank you. From a fellow Southerner and lifelong Democrat.

[queenietoo]

02:26 AM on 10/04/2011

so tolerant that old Glory is still flying high heeeeee haaaaaw

[SmileDocMiami]

05:07 PM on 10/03/2011

Not sure why there are so many surprised posters on here. TK has been a Democrat forever and even supported Obama.

[gdav520]

05:04 PM on 10/03/2011

I love Toby Keith even more now! So perfectly said by a very well respected man. Love it!

[realgarry]

05:00 PM on 10/03/2011

You know, I hadn't read of Toby Keith doing anything "red-necky" in a while, and now this. My theory is that when he worked with Willie Nelson a few years ago, Willie's views rubbed off on him. Although Hank Williams Jr. is in the news today comparing Obama to Hitler, most of the truly great current and past country artists (of which HWJ isn't one) are or were not right wingers.

[Provit2me]

04:48 PM on 10/03/2011

I know this may be hard to believe but - there are a lot of Southern, Country, Harley riding, Redneck people out here who have nothing against our Gay Brothers and Sisters. It's those loud Mouth - sanctimonious - Christian folk that get all the attention with their vile, anti gay marriage rhetoric. Actually, some of the nicest / inclusive people I have ever met are from the Country, South and have a Harley...My Family and friends...are Southern, Country, Harley riding Redneck people with many gay friends and family – they’re the best. Thanks Toby!!!

[Michael D OBrien]

05:45 PM on 10/03/2011

Please, 'pseudo-christians.' Jesus does not approve their message!

[Since59]

03:07 PM on 10/04/2011

Exactly! These kinds of xtians in no way live the teaching of Christ. If Christ were to appear to these pseudo-xtians they'd call him a liberal progressive nut. So very sad.

[grayplace]

04:03 PM on 10/03/2011

I'm amazed and pleased that he holds this opinion. How very liberal of him. Bet his fans are having sh!tfits right now.

[gdav520]

05:08 PM on 10/03/2011

His fans are amazed and pleased as well that he shares the same opinion. Very happy!

[Brandon Equality Vescovo]

01:45 PM on 10/03/2011

Not gonna lie, the headline made me cringe, but I was very relieved to read the story. :-)

[planetmondo]

04:25 PM on 10/03/2011

re read it please-Toe-bee is only in favor of making gay marrage illegal IF it prevents gays from living together.
But Toe bee was always obsessed with ,boots and assez;
He says its the American way.

[SmileDocMiami]

05:05 PM on 10/03/2011

You're really injecting a lot "between the lines" if that's how you interpreted Toby's words.

[Brandon Equality Vescovo]

01:46 AM on 10/05/2011

What SmileDoc said. That's some serious word twisting.

[pkatcher]

01:40 PM on 10/03/2011

good for TOBY....