Dolly Parton has never been shy about publicly stating her support for the gay community, and in a new interview, she explains her stance on the hot-button issue.

Parton has a large following in the LGBT community, and her theme park, Dollywood, has become a big draw for that segment of her fans, as well.

"It's a place for entertainment, a place for all families, period," the country icon tells Billboard. "It's for all that. But as far as the Christians, if people want to pass judgment, they're already sinning. The sin of judging is just as bad as any other sin they might say somebody else is committing. I try to love everybody."

The country icon says she can relate to her gay fans and the ostracism they sometimes face.

"They know that I completely love and accept them, as I do all people. I've struggled enough in my life to be appreciated and understood," Parton observes. "I've had to go against all kinds of people through the years just to be myself. I think everybody should be allowed to be who they are, and to love who they love. I don't think we should be judgmental."

Adds the star, "Lord, I've got enough problems of my own to pass judgment on somebody else."

See Dolly Parton as a Little Girl

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