Colorado Republican representative Lauren Boebert faced significant backlash after posting a tribute to LGBTQ+ icon Dolly Parton on Twitter. Boebert tagged Dolly Parton in a tweet saying “Yass queen” following Parton’s halftime performance at the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Commanders game. Parton performed some of her beloved hits, including “Jolene” and “9 to 5,” while wearing an iconic Dallas Cowboys cheerleader costume. She had released her new album, “Rockstar,” on November 17.
According to CBS, Dolly Parton generously donated $1 million to the Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign ahead of her halftime performance.
Critics were quick to call out Lauren Boebert for praising Dolly Parton, as the country music legend has been a well-known supporter of LGBTQ+ rights. Parton recently spoke out against anti-trans laws in her home state of Tennessee and has openly advocated for love and acceptance, encouraging Christian homophobes to be more loving.
Boebert, on the other hand, has supported various anti-LGBTQ+ amendments and has faced controversy for deliberately misgendering a transgender U.S. veteran. Her tweet praising Dolly Parton was met with a barrage of backlash on social media, with many expressing that Parton is a beloved LGBTQ+ ally, while Boebert has a history of opposing LGBTQ+ rights.
Some commenters criticized Boebert for not understanding the phrase “Yass queen” and suggested she refrain from using it. The term “Yass queen” originated in the 1980s among the queer black community in the ballroom scene.
In addition to her anti-LGBTQ+ stance, it was revealed that Boebert had spent hundreds of dollars in campaign money at an LGBTQ+ bar, which further fueled criticism of her actions.