His post said that he disagreed with Parton’s support for transgender people and COVID vaccines but still loved her. The wording quickly sparked backlash, with many people questioning why he chose to highlight disagreements in a memorial message.
Some people defended Schroder, saying Parton herself was known for accepting people with different beliefs. Others pointed to her long history of supporting gay and transgender people and felt his comments distracted from the purpose of honoring her life.
Schroder’s tribute became one of many very different reactions to Parton’s death. While some celebrities wrote emotional or religious messages, others focused on her music, kindness, philanthropy, and ability to connect with people from many different backgrounds.
