Editing Melissa Etheridge (section)

==Personal life==
Etheridge came out publicly as a lesbian in January 1993 at the Triangle Ball, a homosexual-themed celebration of President [[Bill Clinton]]'s [[First inauguration of Bill Clinton|first inauguration]].<ref name="Jeremy Bonfiglio"/><ref>{{Cite news |date=1993-01-21 |title=THE INAUGURATION: Pomp, Patriotism and Primping; Far More Than 10,000 Maniacs Revel in Capital as Bubbles Banish Fatigue (Published 1993) |work=The New York Times |language=en |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/01/21/us/inauguration-pomp-patriotism-primping-far-more-than-10000-maniacs-revel-capital.html |access-date=2023-08-14 |last1=Brown |first1=Patricia Leigh }}</ref> Etheridge supported Clinton's 1992 presidential campaign and since coming out, has been a gay rights activist. She is also an advocate for environmental issues and in 2006, she toured the US and Canada using biodiesel.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.biodieselresource.com/celebrities|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070516094157/http://www.biodieselresource.com/celebrities|archive-date=May 16, 2007|title=Celebrities|publisher=Biodiesel Resource|access-date=May 18, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[File:Melissa Etheridge by Deras.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.8|alt=Etheridge is standing, wearing a white jacket and tank top, speaking live | Etheridge speaking in 2005]]

Etheridge had a long-term partnership with [[Julie Cypher]], and their relationship received coverage in ''[[The Advocate (magazine)|The Advocate]]'', when an interview with editor Judy Wieder done in Amsterdam, "The Great Dyke Hope", was released in July 1994. In it, Etheridge answered Wieder's questions about why the couple wanted to have children: "I think one of the many fears people have about homosexuality is around children. I think that the more gay parents raise good, strong, compassionate people, the better the world will be."<ref name="Wieder">{{cite book|title=[[Celebrity: The Advocate Interviews]]|last=Wieder|first=Judy|editor-last=Wieder|editor-first=Judy |year=2001 |publisher=Advocate Books |location=New York|isbn=1-55583-722-0|page=29}}</ref> During this partnership, Cypher gave birth to two children, Bailey Jean and Beckett.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/09/fashion/melissa-etheridge-brad-pitt-debate-night.html|title=A Mother-Daughter Night With Melissa Etheridge|first=Katherine|last=Rosman|date=October 7, 2016|website=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> Cypher became pregnant via artificial insemination using sperm donated by musician [[David Crosby]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/etheridge-and-crosby-talk/|title=Etheridge And Crosby Talk |publisher=[[CBS News]] |date=January 17, 2000 }}</ref> On September 19, 2000, Etheridge and Cypher announced they were separating.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/etheridge-and-cypher-call-it-quits/|title=Etheridge And Cypher Call It Quits |publisher=[[CBS News]] |date=September 19, 2000 }}</ref>

In 2002, Etheridge began dating actress [[Tammy Lynn Michaels]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Warn |first=Sarah |url=http://www.afterellen.com/People/TammyLynnMichaels.html |title=Tammy Lynn Michaels Comes Out — an Un-"Popular" Career Move? &#124; People, Celebrities, Actresses & Profiles Of Gay, Lesbian & Bisexual Women In Movies, TV Shows & Music |publisher=AfterEllen.com |date=April 18, 2002 |access-date=May 18, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120223075855/http://www.afterellen.com/People/TammyLynnMichaels.html |archive-date=February 23, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>  The two had a commitment ceremony<!--in [[Malibu, California]],--> on September 20, 2003<!--, which was featured on ABC's ''InStyle Celebrity Weddings''-->.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tvguide.com/News/Melissa-Etheridge-Split-1017323.aspx |title=Melissa and Tammy Etheridge Separate|author=Joyce Eng|date=April 15, 2010|access-date=September 7, 2017}}</ref> On October 17, 2006, Michaels gave birth to fraternal twins, Johnnie Rose and Miller Steven, who were conceived via an anonymous sperm donor.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/melissa-etheridge-and-partner-tammy-lynn-michaels-have-twins|title=Melissa Etheridge and Partner Tammy Lynn Michaels Have Twins|date=March 25, 2015|website=Associated Press}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://people.com/celebrity/twins-for-melissa-etheridge-partner-2/|title=Twins for Melissa Etheridge & Partner|website=People.com|access-date=November 11, 2020}}</ref>

In October 2004, Etheridge was diagnosed with [[breast cancer]]. She underwent surgery<ref>{{cite news|url=https://people.com/premium/melissa-etheridges-battle-with-cancer/|title=Melissa Etheridge's Battle with Cancer|newspaper=People}}</ref> and [[chemotherapy]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna6994469|title=Melissa Etheridge's brave comeback|first=Dateline|last=NBC|date=February 22, 2005|website=msnbc.com}}</ref> In October 2005, in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Etheridge appeared on ''[[Dateline NBC]]'' with Michaels to discuss her struggle with cancer. By the time of the interview, Etheridge's hair had grown back after being lost during chemotherapy. She said that her partner had been very supportive during her illness. Etheridge also discussed using [[medicinal marijuana]] while she was receiving the chemotherapy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nbcnews.com/id/9673481|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924074718/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/9673481|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 24, 2020|title=NBC Dateline interview, aired 10/16/05 |publisher=NBC News|date=October 16, 2005|access-date=September 7, 2017}}</ref>

In October 2008, five months after the [[Supreme Court of California]] [[In re Marriage Cases|overturned the state's ban on same-sex marriage]], Etheridge announced that she and Michaels were planning to marry but were currently "trying to find the right time... to go down and do it".<ref>{{cite magazine|author=Marisa Laudadio|url=http://people.com/celebrity/melissa-etheridge-plans-to-tie-the-knot-again/|title=Melissa Etheridge Plans to Tie the Knot Again – Couples, Melissa Etheridge, Tammy Lynn Michaels|magazine=People.com|date=October 1, 2008|access-date=September 7, 2017}}</ref> In November 2008, in response to the passing of California's [[California Proposition 8 (2008)|Proposition 8]] banning same-sex marriage, Etheridge announced that she would not pay her state taxes as an act of civil disobedience.<ref>[https://www.tvguide.com/News/Melissa-Etheridge-Taxes-42087.aspx Melissa Etheridge Refuses to Pay Taxes Over Gay-Marriage Ban]" ''[[TV Guide]]''. November 8, 2008. Retrieved November 12, 2008.</ref> On April 15, 2010, Etheridge and Michaels announced they had separated.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/melissa-etheridge-split-1017323/|title=Melissa and Tammy Etheridge Separate|publisher=TVGuide.com|access-date=September 7, 2017}}</ref> In May 2012, it was announced that their two-year child support battle had been settled.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://blog.sfgate.com/dailydish/2012/05/22/melissa-etheridge-settles-child-support-case/|work=The San Francisco Chronicle|title=Melissa Etheridge settles child support case|date=May 1, 2012|access-date=September 7, 2017|archive-date=September 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170908020626/http://blog.sfgate.com/dailydish/2012/05/22/melissa-etheridge-settles-child-support-case/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
[[File:MelissaEtheridgeGuitarHWoFSept2011.jpg|thumb|upright=0.8|Etheridge performing at a September 2011 ceremony where she received a star on the [[Hollywood Walk of Fame]]]]
Etheridge supported [[Barack Obama]]'s decision to have Pastor [[Rick Warren]] speak at his [[First inauguration of Barack Obama|2009 Presidential inauguration]], believing that he can sponsor dialogue to bridge the gap between gay and straight Christians. She stated in her column at ''[[The Huffington Post]]'' that "Sure, there are plenty of hateful people who will always hold on to their bigotry like a child to a blanket. But there are also good people out there, Christian and otherwise, that are beginning to listen."<ref>[https://www.huffingtonpost.com/melissa-etheridge/the-choice-is-ours-now_b_152947.html The Choice is ours now]. ''[[The Huffington Post]]''. Published December 22, 2008. Retrieved December 22, 2008.</ref>

In 2013, Etheridge called [[Angelina Jolie]]'s choice to have a double [[mastectomy]] to avoid the possibility of breast cancer a "fearful" choice. Etheridge told the ''[[Washington Blade]]'' in an interview that "my belief is that cancer comes from inside you and so much of it has to do with the environment of your body...It's the stress that will turn that gene on or not...I really encourage people to go a lot longer and further before coming to that conclusion."<ref>{{cite web|author=Lou Chibbaro|url=http://www.washingtonblade.com/2013/06/13/rippin-tearin-strippin/|title=Melissa Etheridge on Wolf Trap and drastic health steps &#124; Washington|work=[[Washington Blade]]|date=October 21, 2016|access-date=September 7, 2017}}</ref> Andrea Geduld, the director of the Breast Health Resource Center at Mt. Sinai Hospital, criticized Etheridge's remarks. Experts also cautioned that Etheridge's statements were not accurate.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kmbz.com/Experts-Melissa-Etheridge-s-Comments-on-Angelina-J/16627766|title=Experts: Melissa Etheridge's Comments On Angelina Jolie Out Of Line|website=KMBZ.com|access-date=October 26, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305010840/http://www.kmbz.com/Experts-Melissa-Etheridge-s-Comments-on-Angelina-J/16627766|archive-date=March 5, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In a 2013 interview with [[CNN]] after the U.S. Supreme Court's decisions in ''[[United States v. Windsor]]'' and ''[[Hollingsworth v. Perry]]'', Etheridge stated that she planned to marry her partner, [[Linda Wallem]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/entertainment-us-usa-courts-gaymarriage-idUSBRE95P16B20130626 |title=Singer Melissa Etheridge to wed after gay marriage ruling|work=Reuters|date=June 26, 2013|access-date=September 7, 2017}}</ref>  The couple married on May 31, 2014, in [[San Ysidro Ranch]] in Montecito, California, two days after they both turned 53.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.people.com/article/melissa-etheridge-linda-wallem-marry-california|title=Melissa Etheridge Weds Linda Wallem|magazine=People|author=K.C. Baker|date=May 31, 2014|access-date=September 7, 2017}}</ref>

Etheridge was featured on a 2015 episode of ''[[Who Do You Think You Are? (U.S. TV series)|Who Do You Think You Are?]]''<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/6545653/melissa-etheridge-who-do-you-think-you-are-exclusive-clip|title=Exclusive: Watch Melissa Etheridge Discover Her Heritage on 'Who Do You Think You Are?'|magazine=Billboard|date=April 23, 2015|access-date=September 7, 2017}}</ref>

Starting in 2014, Etheridge partnered with a California medical marijuana dispensary to make cannabis-infused wine.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/cannabis-infused-wine-delivers-a-full-body-buzz-says-melissa-etheridge/|author=Parvati Shallow|title=Cannabis-infused Wine Delivers a "Full Body Buzz" Says Melissa Etheridge|date=December 3, 2014 |publisher=CBSNews|access-date=September 7, 2017}}</ref>

A 2016 article in ''[[The New York Times]]'' stated that Etheridge wore [[hearing aids]].<ref name="TimesMothDaugh">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/09/fashion/melissa-etheridge-brad-pitt-debate-night.html|title=A Mother-Daughter Night With Melissa Etheridge|author=Katherine Rosman|newspaper=The New York Times |date=October 7, 2016|access-date=September 7, 2017|quote=How does a rock star begin an evening? She puts in her hearing aids.}}</ref>

In 2019, her daughter, Bailey Cypher, graduated from [[Columbia University]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Hegedus|first=Eric|date=June 27, 2019|title=Melissa Etheridge on being out: 'We can't get gay enough right now!'|url=https://nypost.com/2019/06/27/melissa-etheridge-on-being-out-we-cant-get-gay-enough-right-now/|access-date=October 15, 2020|website=New York Post|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Rosman|first=Katherine|date=October 7, 2016|title=A Mother-Daughter Night With Melissa Etheridge (Published 2016)|language=en-US|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/09/fashion/melissa-etheridge-brad-pitt-debate-night.html|access-date=October 15, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

On May 13, 2020, Etheridge announced on her Twitter that Beckett, her son with Cypher, had died of causes related to opioid addiction at the age of 21.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Etheridge |first1=Melissa |title=Twitter |url=https://twitter.com/metheridge/status/1260734679306534912 |website=Twitter |access-date=May 14, 2020 |date=May 13, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Aswad |first1=Jem |title=Beckett Cypher, Melissa Etheridge's Son, Dies at 21 |url=https://variety.com/2020/music/news/beckett-cypher-melissa-etheridge-son-dead-dies-1234605991/ |access-date=May 14, 2020 |website=Variety.com |date=May 13, 2020 |language=en}}</ref>