Dolly’s Quilt of Many Colors

Thank you, Matt.

Thank you so much for this beautiful video.

I was 6 when this documentary hit the mainstream, your video has brought back so many deeply emotional memories of that time period. I’ve had to pause, because I’m absolutely bawling.😢

I can remember seeing it at the cinema with my parents. I can remember the discussions about it on tv and with my extended family. The news specials about the quilt and the stories of the people it was made for.

Seeing the narrative around HIV and AIDS starting to shift (due to a whole host of stories – films, documentaries, red ribbons, princess Diana, well known people coming out publicly – all these things showing the real people, their humanity and unfortunately so much unnecessary suffering).

General attitudes to gay people and culture changed dramatically in my country probably between ‘88-‘92. To the point that by ‘94 when Priscilla came out, I don’t even remember it being controversial, just a massive hit. Sydney Mardi Gras becoming mainstream and positively reported on every year – to the point of being telecast like an American holiday parade by the mid 90’s. After police violence not so long before.

Little kid me probably didn’t have the context to understand that at the time, but in retrospect the shift was rapid and built on existing mainstream drag culture (that while most Australians might not like admit it now, was often pretty homophobic and misogynistic – even if it wasn’t intended that way… but some absolutely was intended that way). Gay people and culture were kind of folded in, to be no stranger to see on TV than Dame Edna, or Carlotta, or Jeanie Little (not gay or drag, just a camp icon), Les Girls, or Auntie Jack (aka, not strange at all).

But it was the human stories, having the opportunity to connect and realise that gay people were people and not some scary “other”, like in this film that made all of that possible.

I was fortunate to grow up in a household where being gay was never remotely controversial (ironically Buffy absolutely was during my teens), with parents who thought documentaries, especially ones like Common Threads were exactly what kids should be watching. I grew up knowing and spending time with openly gay people. Because of that privilege, I didn’t really see that change in the moment, but seeing this brought it all back.

So, sincerely, bottom of my heart, thank you Matt for sharing about this film and its relationship to Dolly. And for reminding me that even in dark times, positive change can still happen❤

Never been prouder to be a patreon supporter. Thanks, Matt, this isn't just a beautification of an icon, it's the meat behind it.

Now we are hearing even more about the many ways she made the the world a better place, it's easy to see she was one of the best humans ever, what a gift to have lived in her time!

thank you matt ;o;

Absolute legend of a woman! Rest in Peace, Dolly! Pleaaaase do Tim Curry next!

Dolly was Country, unashamedly a True Christian, and a kind and gentle soul. She will be missed.

3:50 that's an interesting way of framing the Barbara Walters interview a lot of people would say that Barbara was way over the line and dismissive but Matt's read seems to be that BW was overly concerned with how Parton presented in contrast with the kind of stern way she acted on camera in order to succeed

As an Afro indigenous trans woman whose family has been in Mississippi for a little over 100 years. Dolly Parton has just always been there. Like I couldn’t think of a time in my life where Dolly wasn’t being played, discussed, loved and teased on. My grandmother grew up in the same predicament Dolly did in rural Mississippi. Don’t even get me started on the work she did for my grandfather’s people in addition to the work she did for the black community. The native community adores her too. It’s so strange to just have her gone. I thought she was immortal. Even in her last days she seemed so rejuvenated and refreshed. So I just felt very numb these past few days. I finally began to break down when I listened to the gay men’s choir medley at the gas station. RIP to the Queen of Country 😞

Great video as always! Dolly was one of the few celibrities I felt there was an honesty to her allyship. We lost a beautiful soul, may she rest in peace

❤

Barbara Walters was insufferable. Damn….

2:11 Was that clip before or after she wrote Jolene?

Thanks Matty. Again , you made me cry.