Pop-Culturalist.com

Brandon Stansell is changing the narrative in the country music scene with his new single, “Hurt People.” The country crooner opens up to listeners and shares his coming out story, which brought pain and estrangement along with it. “I knew they wouldn’t understand but I told them anyway / And ten years later I’m still waiting for time to heal this pain / My daddy said I want you to know that we’re not proud of you / So I left home on my own just like hurt people do,” the lyrics read. Brandon’s raw emotion and candid lyrics make for a uniquely charged message to the genre.

“Hurt People” isn’t the first time that Brandon opened up about his sexuality. “Hometown,” became the first LGBTQ music video to air on CMT, marking history for the genre. “For the longest time, people who are LGBTQ and lovers of country music, we didn’t really hear our stories on country radio or played on CMT. It was really important for me to share my story in the most authentic, real way I possibly could,” Brandon told Billboard. But Brandon isn’t alone in telling his story; country star and long-time LGBTQ ally, Cam is featured in the heart-wrenching song. Cam performed at GLAAD’s Concert for Love and Acceptance at the CMA Music Festival, showing appreciation for the community in the genre.

Listen to “Hurt People” on all major streaming platforms, and keep up with Brandon on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.