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GOPRIDE

Chely Wright 'came together' by coming out lesbian

Chely Wright is the grand marshal of Chicago's 41st annual Pride Parade this Sunday

By OnTopMag.com 2-minute read
Chely Wright at Borders in Lincoln Park on Saturday
Chely Wright at Borders in Lincoln Park on Saturday Anthony Meade
Country music star Chely Wright says coming out lesbian has allowed her to "come together."

Sunday's Chicago Gay Pride Parade will feature the 39-year-old singer-songwriter as grand marshal.

Wright came out gay in an interview with People magazine in May. In that interview, Wright called her coming out "magical" and revealed that she once believed she could alter her sexual orientation by praying it away.

Wright, who released her eighth studio album, Lifted Off The Ground, and a memoir titled Like Me on May 4, told Access Hollywood that she cut off "cold turkey" former boyfriend Brad Paisley once she realized the damage she was doing living a lie.

In a new interview with the Redeye released Friday, Wright said coming out has brought her peace.

Leading gay parades is the antithesis of a lifetime hiding in the closet. She said she had promised herself to take the secret to her grave.

"And here I am, walking on stage, arms in the air, you know? 'I'm gay! I'm really gay!' I don't feel like I just came out, I feel like I came together," she said.

The 41st annual Chicago Gay Pride Parade steps off at Noon at Belmont and Halsted in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood.

Related: View Photos of Chely Wright at an in-store performance and reading from her book at Borders in Lincoln Park on Saturday, June 26th

Article provided in partnership with On Top Magazine
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