Country Singer Toby Keith Takes Bold Stance For Gay Equality

Platinum-selling CMA Vocalist of the Year and self-proclaimed "conservative independent" country singer Toby Keith told "CMT Insider" that not only does gay marriage not concern him, but suggested that politicians stop wasting time and money trying to stop its forward momentum—and instead focus on the nation's massive deficit.

The singer sees no reason for intervening in people's personal lives: "We're going to stop somebody from getting a marriage license because they're gay? You won't stop them from living together, so what have you accomplished?" he said on the program. "That whole gay issue thing, that's never bothered me."

Keith also weighed in on the military's now-repealed "don't ask, don't tell" policy that banned gays serving openly in uniform. He stated that anyone with the training and passion should have the right to defend the country: "Somebody's sexual preference is, like, who cares?"