Ty Herndon and Billy Gilman Come Out: Country Stars React

In a stunning turns of events that literally has no precedent in country music history, two country hitmakers came out publicly in a single day on Thursday (Nov. 20), and members of the country music community took to Twitter to react to the news.

Ty Herndon revealed that he's gay in a prepared interview with 'Entertainment Tonight' Thursday morning, and just hours later, inspired by his friend's decision, Billy Gilman followed suit in a video he posted directly to YouTube.

Chely Wright -- who faced enormous backlash when she came out in 2010 -- was among the first to congratulate the two, along with LeAnn Rimes, Meghan Linsey, Lucy Hale and even Nashville star Chris Carmack, whose character on the show is a closeted male country singer. See reactions below:

Both singers responded with gracious words of their own after the show of support by their peers:

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