Dolly Parton

Not only did her appearance cause conflict with her religious family, it yielded scorn from parents of classmates who believed her a bad influence. But in reality, Parton says, it was their kids “screwing everybody,” not her.

Adding even more scrutiny were her dreams, because in the rural climate of Sevierville, Tenn., life’s trajectory was often non-negotiable (Parton’s mother married in the seventh grade). At her high-school graduation, Parton told classmates and their families she was going to Nashville to be a star—an innocent, earnest statement no different to her than another classmate wanting marriage. Everyone—including the parents—laughed. Recounting the story, Parton lapses into verse, feeling her 1987 song “Wild?ower” best illustrates the point:

The hills were alive with wildflowers
And I was as wild,
even wilder than they
For at least I could run,
They just died in the sun
And I refused to just wither in place.

The day after graduation, she hopped a bus bound for Nashville. Forty-two years later, no one ever questions the validity of her dreams—past or present. Currently, she’s planning a children’s book entitled I am a Rainbow as well as an accompanying children’s album. And not forgetting adults, she hopes to record a gospel album and a new dance record. All of these projects, she says, are designed to uplift as well as to let people know it’s okay to be different. Projects that, if available, would’ve helped her cope as a child and young adult.

Ironically, due to her broad acceptance, Parton says she still gets “crucified” by ultra-conservative religious groups—mostly in the form of threats against her Pigeon Forge, Tenn., theme park, Dollywood. Still, when so many label those different from themselves (transsexual or otherwise) “freaks,” Parton calls them friends.

“I know that we all belong to God,” she says. “I just don’t understand why people can’t let people be themselves… whatever that is.”

Gender-Bending Talk from Dolly Parton

Do men underestimate your business skills? They’ll get caught off guard now and then. I’m not that smart, I’m just a very professional Dolly Parton … I know what my limitations are and I know the areas where I’m strongest, but I do think at times people will underestimate me—certainly in the early days. But I’d had their money and gone before it hit ‘em that I wasn’t as dumb as I looked.

If you were a man, what kind of man would you be? A good one. An honest one. A fun one. A smart one. A passionate one. A horny one. Did I say a handsome one?

What advice would you give a man who’s considering becoming a woman? Well, I’d just say buy shoes that are comfortable and buy boobs that you can sleep with. Don’t get ’em so big that you can’t roll over.

What are your thoughts on men who dress up as you? I’m so little; so short and tiny. What gets me is all these drag queens—they’re always about six-feet tall and they’re huge! Don’t we have any little Dollys out there?