Cassadee Pope Offers Support to Same-Sex Couples Amid Controversial Tennessee Law

Cassadee Pope Wants to Help Same-Sex Couples Get Married Following New Controversial Tennessee Law

Cassadee Pope Jason Kempin/Getty Images for CMT/Viacom

Cassadee Pope, 34, is offering her services to officiate weddings for couples facing challenges getting married in Tennessee. In a recent Instagram Reel on Monday, March 4, Pope mentioned that a bill in Tennessee permits public officials to decline marrying couples as they see fit. She expressed concern that this law could negatively impact same-sex couples.

Pope mentioned HB 878, a law signed by Governor Bill Lee in February. This law allows judges, county clerks, and government officials to refuse to perform marriages that go against their beliefs. Even though Pope was upset by this news, she decided to take action and offer assistance to those facing challenges when getting married.

In a video clip, Pope revealed that she became ordained in 2020 out of boredom. She proudly showed her certificate and offered to help anyone encountering difficulties with their marriage plans. Pope expressed her willingness to assist anyone in need.

Pope shared a video with the caption, "I now pronounce you whatever the hell you want ️."

This is not the first time Pope has shown support for the LGBTQIA+ community. In August 2022, she criticized Brittany Aldean for making transphobic comments. Aldean, 35, posted a makeup tutorial and expressed gratitude to her parents for not altering her gender during her "tomboy phase."

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Cassadee Pope (@cassadeepope)

Pope expressed disappointment in celebrities with beauty brands not embracing LGBTQ+ inclusion in their messaging. Instead, she heard someone comparing their 'tomboy phase' to wanting to transition, which she found insensitive.

Despite receiving backlash from fans of Aldean after calling out the remark, Pope prioritized standing up for marginalized groups over potential negative reactions.

Pope emphasized the importance of speaking up against harmful statements that affect her community during an August 2023 interview on the “Hold My Hair?” podcast. She also recognized the value of amplifying the voices within the community as they possess a deeper understanding of the issues being discussed. However, there are occasions when she feels compelled to personally defend and support the community.

Cassadee Pope Wants to Help Same-Sex Couples Get Married Following New Controversial Tennessee Law

Cassadee Pope Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

Although Pope wasn’t bothered by the online trolls at the time, she later admitted that the constant threats did affect her mental health.

She mentioned in a recent interview with Rolling Stone that she felt no regret. Instead, she focused on moving forward and keeping a positive mindset. It was only recently during therapy sessions that she allowed herself to acknowledge that she was not okay. Pope believes that being involved in activism can sometimes lead to self-realization and acceptance that not everyone will agree with you.

In the end, Pope made the decision to leave the country music scene behind and is looking forward to reconnecting with her pop punk roots.

"I think every type of music has its share of troublesome individuals," she told the interviewer. "I'm not saying that there haven't been allegations against frontmen in rock bands. However, rock music is just more ingrained in me. In this genre, you're not as harshly judged or criticized for speaking up."

Editor's P/S:

Cassadee Pope's initiative to officiate weddings for couples facing challenges in Tennessee is a powerful and inspiring gesture of solidarity. Her willingness to step up and support LGBTQIA+ couples who may be marginalized by a discriminatory law shows her deep commitment to equality and inclusion. Pope's actions serve as a reminder that even in the face of adversity, individuals can make a meaningful difference by standing up for what is right.

Pope's experience highlights the importance of speaking out against harmful and insensitive comments that target marginalized communities. Her courage in challenging transphobic remarks is commendable, even if it drew negative reactions from some. By amplifying the voices of those affected by such statements, Pope demonstrates the need for allies to use their platforms to support and defend those who face discrimination and prejudice. Her activism is a testament to the power of collective action and the transformative impact of embracing diversity and inclusion.