Country singer Chely Wright was an early trailblazer for the LGBTQ community as one of the first artists in country music history to ever publicly come out. But her bravery and honesty are also what led her to her wife, Lauren Blitzer.
Before coming out, Wright had really been struggling personally, hiding her true self for what she believed was for the sake of her music career. But in 2010, she decided to publicly tell the world that she was a lesbian.
"There had never, ever been a country music artist who had acknowledged his or her homosexuality," she told People. But after coming out, she knew she had made the right decision.
"Nothing in my life has been more magical than the moment I decided to come out," she said.
Just two weeks after, she met LGBTQ civil rights activist Lauren Blitzer, and not only was the timing right, but after coming out, Wright felt like she could actually pursue the relationship without fear of hiding as she had done in the past.
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"The freedom of being out and open about who I am allowed me to find and fall in love with Lauren - the most amazing woman I've ever known," Wright told People.
The couple was married the following year in 2011 in front of 200 guests at Blitzer's aunt's house in Connecticut. They were married by a rabbi as well as a reverend to represent both of their faiths and served New York's Blue Smoke barbecue for their guests. The brides wore dresses by J. Crew Bridal and opted not to wear veils. "We like our hair too much!" Wright said.
The celebrity couple welcomed twin boys in 2013, named after their great grandfathers — George Samuel and Everett Joseph. They currently are based in New York City. According to her Instagram, Blitzer is the Sr. Director of Marketing at Sony Music Entertainment.
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