‘Dolly loved every one of you,’ Stella Parton tells LGBTQ+ fans at Out100 gala

For the millions who loved Dolly Parton, she was a country music legend and a steadfast LGBTQ+ ally. For Stella Parton, she was also the big sister she talked with just about every day.That personal connection took center stage Thursday night at the Out100 gala at Sunset Room & Laya in Los Angeles, where Stella Parton accepted The Advocate’s 2026 Advocate of the Year award on her late sister’s behalf.“The thing that I miss most about talking with her just about every day is her optimism,” Stella Parton said. “And I want you to keep that alive.”Dolly Parton died August 25 at age 80. The Advocate later named her its 2026 Advocate of the Year, recognizing a lifetime of artistry, generosity and support for LGBTQ+ people.Related: Dolly Parton’s chauffeur and assistant of 30+ years was a trans man she supported and lovedPresenting the award, Lily Tomlin, Dolly Parton’s longtime friend and 9 to 5 costar, described an acceptance that reached across geography and experience.“There was room in there in that heart for all of us, from one poor family in East Tennessee to a queer kid in East LA,” Tomlin said.Stella Parton told the audience she had wanted Tomlin to present the award to her.“And I know that Dolly loved every one of you,” Stella Parton said.She compared her sister to a kaleidoscope, offering her own explanation for the bond between the singer and her LGBTQ+ fans.“She saw a little bit of herself in each one of you, and that’s why I think she was such an advocate for the LGBTQ community because she understood how she felt and how you felt,” she said.For those looking for a way to honor her sister’s memory, Stella Parton had a simple request.“If you want to think about her, always stay optimistic and hopeful because that was one of her greatest gifts,” she said.The 2026 Out100, presented by Lexus, brought together some of the year’s most notable LGBTQ+ changemakers. Alongside the sisters’ friend Tomlin and Stella Parton, RuPaul?