T.J. Osborne
T.J. Osborne, the first openly gay musician signed to a major country record label, made history again Wednesday night by kissing his boyfriend on national television at the Country Music Association Awards.
Upon winning the award for vocal duo of the year, the lead singer of Brothers Osborne shared a sweet smooch with his date, Abi Ventura — a landmark onair moment for the CMA Awards, which have been broadcast on network TV since the late 1960s.
The groundbreaking kiss came nearly a year after Osborne went public with his sexuality and discussed the possibility and impact of arriving at “an awards show with a man” in an interview with Time magazine.
“It’s been a crazy roller coaster of a year for us in so many ways, especially for me emotionally,” Osborne said during the brother act’s acceptance speech Wednesday. “To have you all support me, it really does feel like love wins.”
“Give this boy a round of applause,” said his brother, John, and the live audience certainly did.
Earlier in the telecast, Osborne opened up about his journey to country superstardom and the obstacles he has faced because of the genre’s homophobia and lack of representation for
LGBTQ+ artists.
“I would watch this show year after year, and I always thought how incredible it would be able,” Osborne said while introducing the duo’s performance of “Younger Me,” a song the 36-year-old wrote about growing up gay.
“I would dream of being up here on this stage, and there’s so many things that were so many hurdles for me. And I always felt — truthfully felt — like it would never be possible, because of my sexuality, to be here. And I just wish — I wish — my younger me could see me now.”
The significance of Osborne and Ventura’s public display of gay love was not lost on fans, who took to social media to celebrate the “I’m Not for Everyone” hit-maker’s bravery and individuality.
“tj osborne kissing his mans... at a country awards show... on live tv... as brothers osborne wins the award for best duo... just months after coming out... i love this,” tweeted People magazine music reporter Tomas Mier.