Adam Mac said local board members expressed concerns over his sexuality, so he bowed out of his upcoming concert.
Country stars Kelsea Ballerini, Maren Morris, Brandy Clark, and more have rallied around gay musician Adam Mac after he canceled an upcoming show at a Kentucky festival after local board members allegedly expressed concern over his sexuality.
In an Instagram video shared Thursday, Mac said after an unnamed "sweet" government employee worked to bring him on as a performer at the annual Logan County Tobacco and Heritage Festival, the same person later informed him that others were worried about his attendance there.
"She explained to me that there were some board members and some people in town who had questions about what kind of performance I would be putting on at the Tobacco Festival, and wanted to ensure that I would not be promoting homosexuality or sexuality in a family-friendly environment," he said. "I don't know what they expected I was going to do other than just come and put on a hell of a show, like we do. It was made aware to me that there were people in the town that were very upset that they would have a gay person headline the festival."
Mac added that he supported locals' rights to "not listen" to his music or "not come to the show," but said he was disturbed that others would make comments about him online and hold protests.
"[It's] just so disheartening, and I went back and forth all night long about what is the right thing to do, because a part of me feels like it would be letting down the people who need to see me most there in that space and the people who just were so excited for me to come home and put on a show," he said. "It also feels like if I don't do the show, I'm caving and letting those people win, which, also, if you know me is not something that I like to do. It's hard for me to say this, but I think the best move forward is to cancel the show and let them book someone else who will not be as controversial."
When reached for comment about the show, a Logan County Chamber of Commerce representative told EW, "Right now, at this time, we are not speaking about it."
However, several industry heavyweights — including Morris, Ballerini, and Clark — are supporting Mac.
"You are loved. I'm sorry this happened but glad you're sharing it here," wrote Morris, who recently stood with drag performers on stage amid an onslaught of anti-trans and anti-drag legislation around the country, and revealed that she's stepping back from country music amid growing prejudices in the genre.
Ballerini pushed back against the anti-LGBTQ sentiment, writing, "This is heartbreaking and so disappointing. I'm really sorry. You've got your army in these comments." RuPaul's Drag Race icon Ginger Minj also responded, calling the situation "ridiculous."
Clark, another queer member of the country music community, commented on Mac's post as well, calling it "heartbreaking" but stressing that "it is THEIR loss!!!!!"