Queer Country: Drake Jensen Says Gay Fans More Critical Than Straight

Photo by Jacqueline Chiasson Barisan

Drake Jensen's debut album, On Finding My Way to Finding You, charted at number 16 on the European Country Music Association's top 100. But now he aims to expand his fan base with his sophomore album, OUTlaw, which includes the lead single, "When It Hurts Like That." Surprisingly, the talented country artist says he's received the most pushback from gay fans, and he looks forward to when we learn better how to "unite and come together."

When asked by The Advocate if he'd received any backlash after coming out, Jensen responded:

"Interestingly, the greatest criticism I've gotten has been from the LGBT community rather than the straight community. Don't get me wrong, about 80% of my fans are gay men who are wonderful, but I've been told my music is too heterosexual and called some ridiculous names by gay people in the past. However, I think most of that comes from people who want [gay artists] to be a certain way, but I've got to be who I'm meant to be and who I'm comfortable being. As far as the country music scene overall though, I'm not really getting any backlash and if I am people are talking behind closed doors because I don't hear it."

Read the complete interview here.

Watch the video for "When It Hurts Like That" below: