Our Country

Chely Wright Is Engaged!

Move over, Miranda and LeAnn! Here's yet another gal joining the Great Wave of 2011 Country Brides who'll be sharing the spotlight with you.

Well, actually, make that "gals," not "gal." Because the bride-to-be is Chely Wright, who came out last May--and therefore will, of course, be marrying a woman.

Wright's fiancee is Lauren Blitzer, who, like Wright, is a gay rights activist and author. According to People, the pair met through their youth advocacy work, and the wedding will take place August 20 in Connecticut.

Wright, who is 40, reported mixed reactions to her coming-out announcement last year--noting in particular that her career has taken a hit as a result of her openess. Still, she tells People, "The freedom of being out and open about who I am allowed me to find and fall in love with Lauren, the most amazing woman I've ever known."

The singer and her wife-to-be often trade affectionate commments with each other on Twitter. Blitzer's account sports a relaxed, happy-looking shot of the pair as her profile picture.

Wright released her memoir last year, Like Me: Confessions of a Heartland Country Singer, as well as her first album in several years, Lifted Off the Ground. She also founded the charitable Like Me Organization in 2010; a supportive resource for members of the gay community and their family and friends.

Congratulations to Chely and Lauren! Are you surprised to hear the news that Chely is engaged? Be sure to let me know your thoughts.

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