Editing Melissa Etheridge

{{Short description|American singer-songwriter (born 1961)}}
{{about|the performer|her eponymous album|Melissa Etheridge (album)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2022}}
{{Infobox person
| name             = Melissa Etheridge
| image            = MelissaEtheridgeHWOFSept2011.jpg
| caption          = Etheridge in 2011
| birth_name       = Melissa Lou Etheridge
| birth_date       = {{birth date and age|1961|5|29}}
| birth_place      = [[Leavenworth, Kansas]], U.S.
| years_active     = 1985–present
| spouse           = {{Marriage|[[Linda Wallem]]|May 31, 2014}}
| partner          = {{Plain list|
* [[Julie Cypher]] ({{abbr|c.|cohabited}} 1990; {{abbr|sep.|separated}} 2000)
* [[Tammy Lynn Michaels]] {{nowrap|({{abbr|cp.|civil partnership started}} 2003; {{abbr|sep.|separated}} 2010}}) <br /> (registered [[domestic partnership]])
}}
| children         = 4  <!-- Do not name the children, who are not notable and hence not reported in the infobox. -->
| occupation       = {{hlist|Singer|songwriter|musician}}
| module           = {{Infobox musical artist
| embed            = yes
| instrument       = {{hlist|Vocals|guitar|piano}}
| genre            = {{hlist|[[Heartland rock]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.edmontonsun.com/2014/09/04/melissa-etheridge-has-fun-with-edmonton-fans-at-jubilee-auditorium |title=Melissa Etheridge has fun with Edmonton fans at Jubilee Auditorium|work=[[Edmonton Sun]]|access-date=September 1, 2015|author=Ross, Mike}}</ref>|[[roots rock]]<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/melissa-etheridge-seeks-to-unite-on-uprising-of-love-song-premiere-20140127|title=Melissa Etheridge Seeks to Unite on 'Uprising of Love' – Song Premiere|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=January 27, 2014|access-date=September 1, 2015|author=Gentile, John|archive-date=September 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170919145147/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/melissa-etheridge-seeks-to-unite-on-uprising-of-love-song-premiere-20140127|url-status=dead}}</ref>|[[folk rock]]<ref name="All Music">{{cite news|url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p4205|pure_url=yes}}|title=Melissa Etheridge |author=Greg Prato|access-date=May 23, 2010}}</ref>|[[blues rock]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-oct-17-et-etheridge17-story.html|title=Alive and well and at peace with herself|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=October 17, 2005|access-date=September 1, 2015|author=Carpenter, Susan}}</ref>|[[country rock]]}}
| label            = {{hlist|[[Island Records|Island]]|[[Primary Wave Records|ME]]}}
| website          = {{URL|melissaetheridge.com}}
}}
| signature        = Melissa Etheridge signature, Billboard Open Letter 2016 (cropped).png
}}

'''Melissa Lou Etheridge''' (born May 29, 1961) is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and guitarist. Her [[Melissa Etheridge (album)|eponymous debut album]] was released in 1988 and became an underground success. It peaked at No. 22 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]]<ref name=billboard200>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/310444/melissa-etheridge/chart?f=305|title=Melissa Etheridge – Chart history|magazine=Billboard|access-date=July 27, 2014}}</ref> and its lead single, "[[Bring Me Some Water]]", garnered Etheridge her first [[Grammy Award]] nomination for [[Grammy Award for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance|Best Rock Vocal Performance, Female]] in [[31st Annual Grammy Awards|1989]].<ref name="Gram">{{cite web |title=Melissa Etheridge |url=https://www.grammy.com/artists/melissa-etheridge/12402 |publisher=[[The Recording Academy]] |access-date=October 15, 2022 |archive-date=August 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220824213416/https://www.grammy.com/artists/melissa-etheridge/12402 |url-status=live}}</ref> Her second album, ''[[Brave and Crazy]]'', appeared that same year and earned Etheridge two more Grammy nominations. In 1992, Etheridge released her third album, ''[[Never Enough (Melissa Etheridge album)|Never Enough]]'', and its lead single, "Ain't It Heavy", won Etheridge her first Grammy Award.<ref name="Gram"/>

In 1993, she released what would become her mainstream breakthrough album, ''[[Yes I Am (Melissa Etheridge album)|Yes I Am]]''. Its tracks "[[I'm the Only One]]", "[[If I Wanted To]]", and "[[Come to My Window]]" all reached the Top 40 in the United States, while the latter earned Etheridge her second Grammy Award.<ref name="Gram"/> ''Yes I Am'' spent 138 weeks on the ''Billboard'' 200, peaking at No. 15,<ref name=billboard200/> and earning a [[Recording Industry Association of America|RIAA]] certification of 6× [[Music recording sales certification|Platinum]],<ref name="riaa">{{cite web |url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&se=melissa+etheridge#search_section |publisher=[[Recording Industry Association of America]] |title=American certifications – Melissa Etheridge |access-date=January 25, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211004142110/https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&se=melissa+etheridge |archive-date=October 4, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> her largest selling album to date. Her fifth album, ''[[Your Little Secret]]'', was released in 1995 and peaked at No. 6 on the ''Billboard'' 200, her highest-charting album to date.<ref name=billboard200/> Its tracks "Nowhere to Go" and "[[I Want to Come Over]]" both reached the Top 40 in the United States.

Etheridge achieved further success with her albums ''[[Breakdown (Melissa Etheridge album)|Breakdown]]'' (1999), ''[[Skin (Melissa Etheridge album)|Skin]]'' (2001), and ''[[Lucky (Melissa Etheridge album)|Lucky]]'' (2004). In October 2004, she was diagnosed with breast cancer, and underwent surgery and chemotherapy. At the [[47th Annual Grammy Awards|2005 Grammy Awards]], she made a return to the stage, performing a tribute to [[Janis Joplin]] with [[Joss Stone]]. Stone began the performance with "[[Cry Baby (Garnet Mimms song)|Cry Baby]]" and Etheridge, bald from chemotherapy, joined her to perform the song "[[Piece of My Heart]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shape.com/celebrities/melissa-etheridge-life-after-breast-cancer|title=Melissa Etheridge on Life After Breast Cancer – Shape Magazine|publisher=Shape.com|date=April 22, 2009|access-date=July 27, 2014|archive-date=February 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227041555/https://www.shape.com/celebrities/melissa-etheridge-life-after-breast-cancer|url-status=dead}}</ref> Their performance was widely acclaimed, and [[India.Arie]] later wrote "[[I Am Not My Hair]]" about Etheridge.<ref name="billboard2006">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/57036/indiaaries-hair-regrows-with-pink |title=India.Arie's 'Hair' Regrows With Pink|date=October 6, 2006|author=Gail Mitchell |magazine=Billboard.com}}</ref> Later that year, Etheridge released her first compilation album, ''[[Greatest Hits: The Road Less Traveled]]''. A great commercial success, it peaked at No. 14 on the ''Billboard'' 200, and went [[Music recording sales certification|Gold]] almost immediately.<ref name="riaa"/> Etheridge has released 16 [[Album#Studio album|studio albums]] to date, the most recent being ''[[One Way Out (Melissa Etheridge album)|One Way Out]]'' (2021).<ref name=BroadwayWorld>{{cite web |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwmusic/article/Melissa-Etheridge-Releases-New-Single-One-Way-Out-20210525 |title=Melissa Etheridge Releases New Single 'One Way Out' |work=BroadwayWorld |date=May 25, 2021 |access-date=September 21, 2021 |author=Leiber, Sarah Jae}}</ref><ref name=RockandBlues>{{cite web |url=https://www.rockandbluesmuse.com/2021/09/17/review-melissa-etheridge-one-way-out/ |title=Review: Melissa Etheridge ''One Way Out'' |work=Rock & Blues Muse |date=September 17, 2021 |access-date=September 21, 2021 |author=Mike O'Cull}}</ref>

Etheridge is known for music with a mixture of "confessional lyrics, pop-based folk-rock, and raspy, smoky vocals".<ref name="All Music" /> She has been a gay and lesbian rights activist since her public coming out in January 1993.<ref name="Encyclopedia of gay and lesbian pop culture">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9VGrrAiSNAkC&q=Etheridge+iconic+gay&pg=PT108|title=Melissa Etheridge |author=Luca Prono|year=2008 |publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|isbn=9780313335990 |access-date=May 23, 2010}}</ref> Among her various accolades, Etheridge has received two Grammy Awards (from 15 nominations), and an [[Academy Award for Best Original Song]] for "[[I Need to Wake Up]]" from the film ''[[An Inconvenient Truth]]'' (2006).<ref name=Oscars>{{cite web |title=Academy Awards Acceptance Speech Database – Melissa Etheridge |url=http://aaspeechesdb.oscars.org/link/079-16/ |publisher=Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences |access-date=October 15, 2022 |archive-date=October 10, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141010221129/http://aaspeechesdb.oscars.org/link/079-16/ |url-status=live}}</ref> She received the [[Berklee College of Music]] Honorary Doctor of Music Degree in 2006.<ref name=berklee>{{cite web|url=https://www.berklee.edu/commencement/2006|title=BERKLEE &#124; Commencement 2006|publisher=Berklee.edu|date=May 13, 2006|access-date=September 7, 2017}}</ref> The following year, she was honored with the [[American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers|ASCAP]] Founders Award.<ref name=ASCAP>{{cite web|url=http://www.ascap.com/eventsawards/awards/founders/index.aspx|title=ASCAP Founders Award|date=March 2, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140302203512/http://www.ascap.com/eventsawards/awards/founders/index.aspx|access-date=August 26, 2021|archive-date=March 2, 2014}}</ref> In September 2011, she received a star on the [[Hollywood Walk of Fame]].<ref name=walkoffame>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/467228/melissa-etheridge-lands-hollywood-walk-of-fame-star |title=Melissa Etheridge Lands Hollywood Walk of Fame Star|magazine=Billboard|access-date=July 27, 2014}}</ref>

==Early life and career==
Etheridge was born in [[Leavenworth, Kansas]], the younger of two daughters of Elizabeth (Williamson), a computer consultant, and John Etheridge, an [[American Constitution]] teacher at her alma mater, [[Leavenworth High School]]. John Etheridge died in August 1991.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/melissa-etheridge-takes-the-long-hard-road-from-the-heartland-to-hollywood-64105/ |title=Melissa Etheridge Takes the Long Hard Road from the Heartland to Hollywood|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=July 28, 2019}}</ref>

Etheridge began guitar lessons aged eight.<ref>{{cite web|date=November 18, 2021|title='I considered having kids with Brad Pitt': Melissa Etheridge on music, motherhood and coming out|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/nov/18/melissa-etheridge-music-motherhood-coming-out-brad-pitt|access-date=November 22, 2021|website=the Guardian|language=en}}</ref> She started to play in local country music groups in her teenage years and graduated from high school in 1979.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/analysis/pieces-of-her-heart-183941.html|title=Pieces of her heart|date=February 16, 2012|website=Irishexaminer.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.leavenworthtimes.com/article/20101012/NEWS/310129861|title=Leavenworth's own Melissa Etheridge lets us .... inside her window|first=Dale|last=Brendel|website=The Leavenworth Times – Leavenworth, Kansas}}</ref> While attending college at [[Berklee College of Music]], Etheridge played the club circuit around [[Boston]]. After three semesters, Etheridge decided to drop out of Berklee and move to Los Angeles to attempt a career in music.<ref name="All Music" />

==Career==
===1982–1992: Road to rock stardom===
Etheridge was discovered at Vermie's, a bar in Pasadena, California. She had made some friends on a women's soccer team, and those new friends came to see her play. One of the women was Karla Leopold, whose husband, Bill Leopold, was a manager in the music business. Karla convinced Bill to see Etheridge perform live. He was impressed, and became a pivotal part of Etheridge's career.<ref name=autobiography>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5_4DEtjV0vcC&q=carla+leopold+%2B+etheridge&pg=PA72|title=The Truth Is ...: My Life in Love and Music|last1=Etheridge|first1=Melissa|last2=Morton |first2=Laura|year=2002|edition=2nd|publisher=Random House|location=New York|page=72|isbn=978-0-307-76564-2}}</ref>  This, in addition to her gigs in lesbian bars around Los Angeles, led to her discovery by [[Island Records]] chief Chris Blackwell. She signed a publishing deal to write songs for films including the 1986 movie ''[[Weeds (1987 film)|Weeds]]''.<ref name="Country Music Television">{{cite web|url=http://www.cmt.com/artists/melissa-etheridge|title=Melissa Etheridge|author=cmt.com|publisher=MTV Networks|access-date=September 7, 2017|archive-date=September 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170908021303/http://www.cmt.com/artists/melissa-etheridge|url-status=dead}}</ref>

After an unreleased first effort that was rejected by Island Records as being too polished and glossy, she completed her stripped-down, self-titled debut in just four days. Her eponymous debut album ''[[Melissa Etheridge (album)|Melissa Etheridge]]'' (1988), was an underground hit, and the single "[[Bring Me Some Water]]" performed well on radio and was nominated for a Grammy Award.<ref name="Country Music Television" />

At the time of the album's release, it was not generally known that Etheridge was a lesbian. While on the road promoting the album, she paused in [[Memphis, Tennessee]], to be interviewed for the syndicated radio program ''Pulsebeat—Voice of the Heartland'', explaining the intensity of her music by saying: "People think I'm really sad—or really angry. But my songs are written about the conflicts I have...I have no anger toward anyone else."<ref>Dickerson, James L. (2005) "Go, Girl, Go! The Women's Revolution in Music", Schirmer Trade Books, p. 115.</ref> She invited the radio syndication producer to attend her concert that night. He did and was surprised to find himself one of the few men in attendance.<ref>Dickerson, James L. (2005) "Go, Girl, Go! The Women's Revolution in Music", Schirmer Trade Books, p. 114.</ref>

Etheridge's second album, ''[[Brave and Crazy]]'', was released in 1989.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/brave-and-crazy-mw0000201739|title=Brave and Crazy – Melissa Etheridge &#124; Songs, Reviews, Credits|website=AllMusic}}</ref> ''Brave and Crazy'' followed the same musical formula as her eponymous debut; it also garnered a Grammy nomination. The album peaked at No. 22 on the [[Billboard charts|''Billboard'' charts]] (equal to her first album). Etheridge then went on the road, like one of her musical influences, [[Bruce Springsteen]], and built a loyal fan base.<ref name="Biography.com" />

In 1992, Etheridge released her third album, ''[[Never Enough (Melissa Etheridge album)|Never Enough]]''. Similar to her prior two albums, ''Never Enough'' didn't reach the top of the charts, peaking at No. 21, but gave Etheridge her first Grammy for [[Grammy Award for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance|Best Rock Vocal Performance, Female]] for her single "Ain't It Heavy". ''Never Enough'' was considered a more personal and mature album from Etheridge at that time. With rumors circulating around her sexuality (Etheridge was not out yet at this point), the album seemed to inadvertently address these rumors.<ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite web|last=Loftus|first=Johnny|url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r6883|pure_url=yes}}|title=Never Enough – Melissa Etheridge|website=AllMusic|date=March 17, 1992|access-date=May 18, 2012}}</ref>

In 1992, Etheridge established a performing arts scholarship at Leavenworth High School in honor of her recently deceased father. According to Etheridge, her father purchased her first guitar and "would come with me to bars in the area when I played because I was underage".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.deseret.com/1992/5/20/18984888/scholarship-venerates-memory-of-singer-s-dad|title=SCHOLARSHIP VENERATES MEMORY OF SINGER'S DAD|date=May 20, 1992|website=Deseret News}}</ref>

===1993–1995: ''Yes I Am'' and ''Your Little Secret''===
In January 1993, Etheridge came out publicly as a lesbian. On September 21, 1993, she released ''[[Yes I Am (Melissa Etheridge album)|Yes I Am]]'', which became her mainstream breakthrough album.<ref name="Jeremy Bonfiglio">{{cite web|url=https://www.heraldpalladium.com/features/melissa-etheridge-taps-into-her-memphis-soul/article_c752b815-c556-5f33-b6e2-e87a9e9a763b.html|title= Melissa Etheridge taps into her Memphis soul|publisher=HeraldPalladium.com|author=Jeremy Bonfiglio|date=June 15, 2017|access-date=July 1, 2018}}</ref> Co-produced with [[Hugh Padgham]], ''Yes I Am'' spent 138 weeks on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] charts and peaked at No. 15. It scored two mainstream hits: "[[Come to My Window]]" and her only ''Billboard'' Top 10 single,  "[[I'm the Only One]]", which also hit #1 on ''Billboard''{{'}}s Adult Contemporary chart. ''Yes I Am'' earned a [[Recording Industry Association of America|RIAA]] certification of 6× platinum.<ref name="riaa"/>

Etheridge earned her second Grammy for [[Grammy Award for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance|Best Rock Vocal Performance, Female]] for her single "Come to My Window". She also garnered two additional nominations in the Best Rock Song category for "I'm the Only One" and "Come to My Window", losing to [[Bruce Springsteen]]'s "[[Streets of Philadelphia]]".<ref>{{cite news |title=THE 37TH GRAMMY NOMINATIONS |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-01-06-ca-17089-story.html |access-date=January 12, 2022 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=January 6, 1995}}</ref>

In 1993, Etheridge boycotted playing shows in Colorado over its passage of [[Romer v. Evans|Amendment 2]].<ref name="Biography.com">{{cite news |url= https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/thestar/access/504284821.html?dids=504284821:504284821&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Sep+10,+1993&author=&pub=The+Record&desc=Station+spurns+Etheridge&pqatl=google9 |title= Station spurs Etheridge |access-date= May 23, 2010 |date= September 10, 1993 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121102194558/https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/thestar/access/504284821.html?dids=504284821:504284821&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Sep+10,+1993&author=&pub=The+Record&desc=Station+spurns+Etheridge&pqatl=google9 |archive-date= November 2, 2012 |url-status= dead |df= mdy-all }}</ref>

Also in 1994, she was honored by VH-1 for her work with the AIDS organization L.A. Shanti. During the televised occasion, she highlighted the appearance with a performance of "I'm the Only One" and a duet with [[Sammy Hagar]] covering [[The Rolling Stones]]' song, "[[Honky Tonk Women]]."<ref name="pg 166">{{cite book|title=Melissa Etheridge: Our Little Secret |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kN03ue54jmIC&pg=PA166|author=Joyce Luck|year = 1997|page=166| publisher=ECW Press |isbn = 9781550222982}}</ref>
[[File:Melissa Etheridge concert ticket - 1995 - Stierch.jpg|thumbnail|Melissa Etheridge concert ticket, 1995]]
The album's fifth single, "[[If I Wanted To]]", debuted on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] at No. 25 in February 1995 and peaked at No. 16 later that March.<ref name=billboard200 /><ref name=billboardfeb1995>{{cite news|author=Fred Bronson|title="Bow" Wows at No. 2; Hot Shot Melissa (page 122) |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wgsEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA122|work=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] ([[Google Books]])|date=February 18, 1995|access-date=September 7, 2017}}</ref>

The success of ''Yes I Am'' helped increase sales of Etheridge's earlier albums. In 1995, ''Melissa Etheridge'' earned a [[Recording Industry Association of America|RIAA]] certification of 2× platinum, while ''Never Enough'' earned a [[Recording Industry Association of America|RIAA]] certification of platinum.<ref name="riaa"/>

Etheridge's follow-up to ''Yes I Am'' was the successful ''[[Your Little Secret]]'' (1995). The album was not as well received by critics as Etheridge's prior recordings. Featuring a lead single of the same name, ''[[Your Little Secret]]'' is the highest-charting album of Etheridge's career, having reached No. 6 on the ''Billboard'' album charts; however, the album spent only 41 weeks on the chart. The album produced two Top 40 singles "[[I Want to Come Over]]" (''Billboard'' #22, ''RPM'' #1) and "Nowhere to Go" (''Billboard'' #40) and earned a [[Recording Industry Association of America|RIAA]] certification of 2× platinum.<ref name="riaa"/>

===1996–2003: After her breakthrough===
In 1996, Etheridge won an ASCAP Songwriter of the Year award. She also took a lengthy break from the music business to concentrate on her family when her first two children Bailey (1997) and Beckett (1998) were born.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.parents.com/parenting/dynamics/gay-parents/melissa-etheridge-sperm-donation-lgbtq-parenting/|title=Melissa Etheridge Speaks Candidly About the Intricacies of LGBTQ Parenting|website=Parents.com|access-date=November 11, 2020}}</ref><ref name="Country Music Television" /> She also recorded "Sin Tener A Donde Ir (Nowhere to Go)" for the [[AIDS]] benefit album ''[[Silencio=Muerte: Red Hot + Latin]]'' produced by the [[Red Hot Organization]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Silencio=Muerte: Red Hot + Latin |url=https://redhot.org/project/red-hot-latin-silencio-muerte/ |website=redhot.org |access-date=January 12, 2022 |language=en}}</ref>

Etheridge returned to the music charts with the release of ''[[Breakdown (Melissa Etheridge album)|Breakdown]]''  in October 1999. ''Breakdown'' peaked at No. 12 on the Billboard charts and spent 18 weeks in the charts. Despite this, ''Breakdown''  was the only album of Etheridge's career to be nominated for a [[Grammy Award for Best Rock Album]] (losing to [[Santana (band)|Santana]]'s ''[[Supernatural (Santana album)|Supernatural]]''). In addition, her single "Angels Would Fall" was nominated in two categories: [[Grammy Award for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance|Best Rock Vocal Performance, Female]] (losing to [[Sheryl Crow]]) and [[Grammy Award for Best Rock Song|Best Rock Song]] (losing to the [[Red Hot Chili Peppers]]) in 2000. A year later, another single from the album--"Enough of Me"—was nominated for [[Grammy Award for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance|Best Rock Vocal Performance, Female]] (also losing to [[Sheryl Crow]]). The album was certified gold by the [[Recording Industry Association of America|RIAA]].<ref name="riaa"/>

The year 2001 saw the release of ''[[Skin (Melissa Etheridge album)|Skin]]'', an album she described as "the closest I've ever come to recording a concept album. It has a beginning, middle and end. It's a journey." ''Skin'' garnered generally positive reviews with Metacritic scoring the album 73/100 from 9 reviews.<ref name="Metacritic">{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/music/skin/melissa-etheridge|title=Metacritic review of ''Skin''|author=Metacritic.com|website=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=September 7, 2017}}</ref> Recorded after her breakup with partner Julie Cypher, ''Skin'' was described as "[a] harrowing, clearly autobiographical dissection of a decaying relationship." Despite positive reviews, ''Skin'' sold less than 500,000 copies. On the Billboard charts, it peaked at No. 9 but dropped out of the Top 200 after just 12 weeks. The single "[[I Want to Be in Love]]" was nominated for the [[Grammy Award for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance|Best Rock Vocal Performance, Female]] (losing to [[Lucinda Williams]]). The music video for the song starred [[Jennifer Aniston]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHBN_4PRYBo| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211103/pHBN_4PRYBo| archive-date=November 3, 2021 | url-status=live|title=Melissa Etheridge – I Want To Be In Love|publisher=[[YouTube]]|date=October 8, 2009|access-date=July 27, 2014}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

In 2002, Etheridge released an autobiography entitled ''The Truth Is: My Life in Love and Music''.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Etheridge, Morton |title=The Truth Is... My Life in Love and Music |date=June 19, 2001 |publisher=Villard |location=New York |isbn=0375505997 |edition=1 |url=https://archive.org/details/truthismylifeinl00ethe |access-date=January 16, 2019 |url-access=registration }}</ref>

===2004–2008: ''Lucky'', cancer diagnosis, Academy Awards and ''The Awakening''===
[[File:Melissa Etheridge DNC 2008.jpg|thumb|left|Etheridge performs during the third night of the [[2008 Democratic National Convention]] in [[Denver, Colorado]]]]
Etheridge began 2004 with the release of her eighth album ''[[Lucky (Melissa Etheridge album)|Lucky]]'' on February 10. Etheridge was now in a new relationship with actress [[Tammy Lynn Michaels]], whom she had begun dating in 2001. ''Lucky'' performed similarly to ''Skin'', selling fewer than 500,000 copies, peaking on the Billboard charts at No. 15 and spending 13 weeks on the charts. It also garnered a Grammy nomination for Etheridge's cover of the [[Greenwheel]] song "[[Breathe (Greenwheel song)#Melissa Etheridge version|Breathe]]" for the [[Grammy Award for Best Rock Vocal Performance, Solo]] (losing to [[Bruce Springsteen]]).<ref>{{cite news |title=The Seattle Times: Arts & Entertainment: Kanye West is at top of Grammy list |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/entertainment/2002112383_grammys08.html |access-date=January 12, 2022 |work=The Seattle Times |date=June 29, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629020925/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/entertainment/2002112383_grammys08.html |archive-date=June 29, 2011 }}</ref>

In October 2004, Etheridge was diagnosed with breast cancer. At the [[2005 Grammy Awards]] (the same ceremony for which "Breathe" was nominated), she made a return to the stage and, although bald from chemotherapy, performed a tribute to [[Janis Joplin]] with the song "[[Piece of My Heart]]". Etheridge's performance was lauded in song in [[India.Arie]]'s "[[I Am Not My Hair]]".<ref name="billboard2006" />

On September 10, 2005, Etheridge participated in [[ReAct Now: Music & Relief]], a telethon in support for the victims of [[Hurricane Katrina]]. ReAct Now, part of an ongoing effort by MTV, [[VH1]], [[Country Music Television|CMT]], seeks to raise funds for the [[American Red Cross]], the [[Salvation Army]], and America's Second Harvest. Etheridge introduced a new song specially written for the occasion called "Four Days". The [[a cappella]] song included themes and images that were on the news during the aftermath of the hurricane. Other charities she supports include The Dream Foundation and Love Our Children USA.<ref>{{cite web |title=Melissa Etheridge Is One of the World's Most Charitable Artists » Dream Foundation |url=https://www.dreamfoundation.org/news/melissa-etheridge-is-one-of-the-worlds-most-charitable-artists/ |website=dreamfoundation.org |access-date=January 12, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Melissa Etheridge: Charity Work & Causes |url=https://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/melissa-etheridge |website=Look to the Stars |access-date=January 12, 2022 |language=en}}</ref>

In November 2005, Etheridge appeared on ''[[The Tonight Show with Jay Leno]]'' to perform her song "I Run for Life".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.berkshireeagle.com/stories/melissa-etheridge-warren-haynes-in-jerry-garcia-tribute-on-tap-for-tanglewood,423733|title=Melissa Etheridge, Warren Haynes in Jerry Garcia tribute on tap for Tanglewood|first1=Clarence|last1=Fanto|website=The Berkshire Eagle|date=January 17, 2013 }}</ref>

Etheridge wrote "[[I Need to Wake Up]]" for the film documentary ''[[An Inconvenient Truth]]'', which won the [[Academy Awards|Oscar]] for [[Academy Award for Best Original Song|Best Original Song]] in 2006. The song was released only on the enhanced version of her greatest hits album, ''[[Greatest Hits: The Road Less Traveled|The Road Less Traveled]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.melissaetheridge.com/album_roadlessenhanced.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070911234005/http://www.melissaetheridge.com/album_roadlessenhanced.php|archive-date=September 11, 2007|title=MelissaEtheridge.com – Melissa|date=September 11, 2007|access-date=May 18, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.melissaetheridge.com/album_roadless.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070911200525/http://www.melissaetheridge.com/album_roadless.php|archive-date=September 11, 2007|title=MelissaEtheridge.com – Melissa|date=September 11, 2007|access-date=May 18, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Etheridge was also a judge for the 5th annual Independent Music Awards to support independent artists' careers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.independentmusicawards.com/ima_new/pastjudges.asp|title=Independent Music Awards – Past Judges|publisher=Independentmusicawards.com|access-date=May 18, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713024722/http://www.independentmusicawards.com/ima_new/pastjudges.asp|archive-date=July 13, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In August 2006, Etheridge also produced and sang the vocal tracks on the ''[[Brother Bear 2]]'' soundtrack, including collaborations with [[Josh Kelley]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dvdizzy.com/brotherbear2-pressrelease.html|title=Brother Bear 2 – DVD Press Release|publisher=Ultimatedisney.com|access-date=September 7, 2017}}</ref>

On July 7, 2007, Etheridge performed at the Giants Stadium on the [[Live Earth concert, New York City|American leg]] of [[Live Earth]]. Etheridge performed the songs "Imagine That" and "What Happens Tomorrow" from ''[[The Awakening (Melissa Etheridge album)|The Awakening]]'', her tenth album, released on September 25, 2007, as well as the song "[[I Need To Wake Up]]" before introducing Al Gore. On December 11, 2007, she performed at the [[Nobel Peace Prize Concert]] in [[Oslo]], Norway, together with a variety of artists, a concert which was broadcast live to over 100 countries.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nobelpeaceprize.org/concert/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071207223134/http://nobelpeaceprize.org/concert/|archive-date=December 7, 2007|title=Nobel Peace Prize Concert 2007|access-date=December 11, 2007|website=Nobelpeaceprize.org|url-status=dead}}</ref> In addition, she performed at the U.S. [[2008 Democratic National Convention]] on August 27, 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gettyimages.fi/detail/news-photo/award-winning-singer-and-songwriter-melissa-etheridge-and-news-photo/82576309|title=Award-winning singer and songwriter Melissa Etheridge and Paul Sayce...|website=Getty Images|date=August 28, 2008 }}</ref>

===2009–2015: ''Fearless Love'', ''4th Street Feeling'', and ''This Is M.E.''===
{{multiple image
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Etheridge was featured in UniGlobe Entertainment's breast cancer docudrama titled ''[[1 a Minute]]'' released in 2010.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.contactmusic.com/mcg/news/indian-star-rallies-celebrity-support-for-cancer-movie_1118440|title=Mcg &#124; Indian Star Rallies Celebrity Support For Cancer Movie|magazine=Contactmusic|date=October 8, 2009|access-date=September 7, 2017}}</ref>

Etheridge performed the role of St. Jimmy in [[Green Day]]'s hit [[Broadway musical]], [[American Idiot (musical)|American Idiot]] from February 1–6, 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Melissa-Etheridge-to-Play-ST-JIMMY-in-AMERICAN-IDIOT-Feb-16-20110118|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|title=Melissa Etheridge to Play ST. JIMMY in AMERICAN IDIOT Feb. 1-6|date=January 18, 2011|access-date=September 7, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://broadwayworld.com/article/BWW_TV_Melissa_Etheridge_Takes_the_Stage_with_the_AMERICAN_IDIOTS_20110202|title=BWW TV: Melissa Etheridge Takes the Stage with the AMERICAN IDIOTS!|website=Broadwayworld.com|date=February 2, 2011|access-date=September 7, 2017}}</ref>

Etheridge performed her new song "Uprising of Love" in the 2013–2014 New Year's Eve celebration in New York City's [[Times Square]] along with the rendition of [[John Lennon]]'s "[[Imagine (John Lennon song)|Imagine]]" before the [[Times Square Ball|ball drop]]. The single was released on iTunes on January 28, 2014.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Gentile |first=John |date=January 27, 2014 |title=Melissa Etheridge Seeks to Unite on 'Uprising of Love' – Song Premiere |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/melissa-etheridge-seeks-to-unite-on-uprising-of-love-song-premiere-235388/ |magazine=Rolling Stone  |publisher=Penske Media Corporation |access-date=January 12, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Melissa Etheridge's Remix: "Uprising of Love" Honors & Supports the Safety & Dignity of LGBT Russians |url=http://www.therainbowtimesmass.com/melissa-etheridges-remix-uprising-love-honors-supports-safety-dignity-lgbt-russians/ |website=The Rainbow Times |access-date=January 12, 2022 |date=December 20, 2013}}</ref>

In 2014, she was one of the performers at the opening ceremonies of [[WorldPride]] in [[Toronto]], [[Ontario]], Canada, alongside [[Tom Robinson]], [[Deborah Cox]] and [[Steve Grand]].<ref>[https://www.thestar.com/news/pridetoronto/2014/06/19/rise_up_the_theme_as_worldpride_2014_arrives.html "Rise Up" the theme as WorldPride 2014 arrives]. ''[[Toronto Star]]'', June 19, 2014. Retrieved September 7, 2017.</ref>

On July 1, 2014, she released "Take My Number", the first single from her 13th studio album ''[[This Is M.E.]]''. The cover art for the album is a mosaic that includes pictures submitted by fans. Etheridge explains the album cover on her official website: "Because my fans are such a huge part of ME, and I wouldn't be ME without YOU, I took photos submitted by my fans and turned it into my album cover." The album was released on September 30, 2014.<ref>{{cite web |title=Melissa Etheridge |url=http://www.melissaetheridge.com/splash/ |website=melissaetheridge.com |access-date=January 12, 2022 |date=February 28, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140228113302/http://www.melissaetheridge.com/splash/ |archive-date=February 28, 2014 }}</ref>

On June 9, 2015, she released a live album titled: ''A Little Bit of Me: Live in L.A.''. It was recorded at the closing show of the U.S. leg of her This Is M.E. Tour on December 12, 2014, at the [[Orpheum Theater (Los Angeles)|Orpheum Theater]] in downtown Los Angeles.<ref>{{Cite AV media notes |title=A Little Bit Of ME: Live In L.A.  |last=Etheridge |first=Melissa |date=2015 |publisher=Rock Fuel |id=SF 15935 |location=North America }}</ref>

=== 2016–present: ''M<!-- Not a typo, the first two letters are capitalised for her initials -->Emphis Rock and Soul'', ''The Medicine Show'', and ''One Way Out'' ===
[[File:Etheridge10October20233.jpg |thumb|right|upright=0.8|alt=Etheridge performing live on Broadway, on October 10, 2023| Etheridge performing live on Broadway, October 10, 2023]]

On October 6, 2016, Etheridge released her 14th studio album, ''[[M<!-- Not a typo, the first two letters are capitalised for her initials -->Emphis Rock and Soul]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.melissaetheridge.com/memphis-rock-and-soul-new-album-tour-dates/|title=MEmphis Rock and Soul: New Album + Tour Dates|publisher=Melissa Etheridge|date=August 2, 2016|access-date=October 26, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161008030303/http://www.melissaetheridge.com/memphis-rock-and-soul-new-album-tour-dates/|archive-date=October 8, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> a covers album made of blues tracks originally recorded by blues legends such as [[Otis Redding]], [[William Bell (singer)|William Bell]], and [[the Staples Singers]].<ref name="auto">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/melissa-etheridge-new-song-faded-by-design-medicine-show-796872/|title=Hear Melissa Etheridge's New Ode to 'Plant Medicine,' Cannabis|first1=Hank|last1=Shteamer|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=February 21, 2019}}</ref>

On April 12, 2019, Etheridge released her 15th studio album ''[[The Medicine Show (album)|The Medicine Show]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/melissa-etheridge-medicine-show-cbs-this-morning-821954/|title=Watch Melissa Etheridge Perform 'Medicine Show' Songs on 'CBS This Morning'|first1=Daniel|last1=Kreps|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=April 13, 2019}}</ref> The first single released from the album was titled "Faded by Design".<ref name="auto"/>

On September 17, 2021, Etheridge released a new album, ''[[One Way Out (Melissa Etheridge album)|One Way Out]]'' on [[BMG Rights Management|BMG]].<ref name=BroadwayWorld/><ref name=RockandBlues/> The album is composed of songs written in the late 1980s and early 1990s, but recorded recently with her original band, although the last two songs were recorded live at the [[Roxy Theatre (West Hollywood)|Roxy]] in Los Angeles in 2002.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/melissa-etheridges-reveals-the-secrets-of-new-album-one-way-out |title=Melissa Etheridge's reveals the secrets of new album ''One Way Out'' |work=Louder |date=September 15, 2021 |access-date=September 21, 2021 |author=Lewry, Fraser}}</ref>

In March 2022, Etheridge was announced as a strategic advisor for the ''Inpink'' platform by [[Gritty In Pink]] alongside [[Arlan Hamilton]] and [[Live Nation Entertainment|Live Nation]].<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2022-03-29 |title=Gritty In Pink Joins Forces with Melissa Etheridge to launch INPINK Marketplace, Aiming to Change the Landscape for Women in Music |url=https://guitargirlmag.com/news/music-news/gritty-in-pink-joins-forces-with-melissa-etheridge-to-launch-inpink-marketplace-aiming-to-change-the-landscape-for-women-in-music/ |access-date=2024-05-24 |website=Guitar Girl Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref>

In September 2023, Etheridge premiered her one-woman show ''Melissa Etheridge: My Window'' at [[Circle in the Square Theatre]] in New York City.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://variety.com/2023/legit/reviews/melissa-etheridge-my-window-review-broadway-1235739446/ |title='Melissa Etheridge: My Window' Review: A Broadway Memoir, Confession and Concert That's Worthy of Applause |last=Deitch |first=Trish |website=Variety |date=September 28, 2023 |access-date=September 29, 2023}}</ref>

==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>

==Awards and honors==
{{main|List of awards and nominations received by Melissa Etheridge}}
[[File:Melissa Etheridge USDOJ pride month.jpg|thumb|right|Etheridge shared her personal experiences of advocating for the LGBTQ community at a United States Department of Justice Event]]

Etheridge has received various accolades and honors throughout her career. Among her competitive awards, she has won two [[Grammy Awards]] (from 15 nominations),<ref name="Gram"/> an [[Academy Award]],<ref name=Oscars/> and a [[Juno Award]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://theenvelope.latimes.com/extras/lostmind/year/1990/1990junos.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081222033750/http://theenvelope.latimes.com/factsheets/awardsdb/env-awards-db-landing%2C0%2C3713019.htmlstory|archive-date=December 22, 2008|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|title=The Envelope – LA Times|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Among her honorary accolades, she has received the [[American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers|ASCAP]] Founders Award,<ref name=ASCAP/> an Honorary Doctor of Music Degree from [[Berklee College of Music]],<ref name=berklee/> and a star on the [[Hollywood Walk of Fame]].<ref name=walkoffame/>

She ranked No. 49 on [[VH1]]'s list of [[The Greatest (TV series)|100 Greatest Women in Rock & Roll]] in 1999.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/1999/vh1women.htm |title=VH1: 100 Greatest Women of Rock & Roll |publisher=Rock on the Net |access-date=July 9, 2017 |archive-date=October 7, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181007031845/http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/1999/vh1women.htm |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Discography==
{{Main|Melissa Etheridge discography}}
<!-- Studio albums only please -->
* ''[[Melissa Etheridge (album)|Melissa Etheridge]]'' (1988)
* ''[[Brave and Crazy]]'' (1989)
* ''[[Never Enough (Melissa Etheridge album)|Never Enough]]'' (1992)
* ''[[Yes I Am (Melissa Etheridge album)|Yes I Am]]'' (1993)
* ''[[Your Little Secret]]'' (1995)
* ''[[Breakdown (Melissa Etheridge album)|Breakdown]]'' (1999)
* ''[[Skin (Melissa Etheridge album)|Skin]]'' (2001)
* ''[[Lucky (Melissa Etheridge album)|Lucky]]'' (2004)
* ''[[The Awakening (Melissa Etheridge album)|The Awakening]]'' (2007)
* ''[[A New Thought For Christmas]]'' (2008)
* ''[[Fearless Love]]'' (2010)
* ''[[4th Street Feeling]]'' (2012)
* ''[[This Is M.E.]]'' (2014)
* ''[[M<!-- Not a typo, the first two letters are capitalised for her initials -->Emphis Rock and Soul]]'' (2016)
* ''[[The Medicine Show (album)|The Medicine Show]]'' (2019)
* ''[[One Way Out (Melissa Etheridge album)|One Way Out]]'' (2021)

==Published works==
* {{Cite book |last1=Etheridge |first1=Melissa |last2=Morton |first2=Laura |year=2002 |orig-year=2001 |title=The Truth Is...: My Life in Love and Music |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HGfvD3H5cMkC |edition=Trade paperback |location=New York |publisher=Random House |isbn=978-0-307-76564-2 |oclc=49971087}} First autobiography.
* {{Cite book |last1=Etheridge |first1=Melissa |year=2023 |title=Talking to My Angels |location=New York |publisher=Harper Wave |isbn=9780063257450 |oclc=1381904417}}

==See also==

* [[List of celebrities who own cannabis businesses]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite book|last1=Perone|first1=James E.|title=The Words and Music of Melissa Etheridge|year=2014|publisher=ABC-CLIO|location=Santa Barbara, California|isbn=978-1-4408-3007-5|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EqqSAwAAQBAJ}}

==External links==
{{Sister project links|d=Q270669|c=Category:Melissa Etheridge|n=no|b=no|v=no|voy=no|m=no|mw=no|s=no|wikt=no|species=no|q=no}}
* {{Official website|https://www.melissaetheridge.com}}
* {{AllMusic}}
* {{IMDb name}}
* {{IBDB name}}

{{Melissa Etheridge|state=expanded}}
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[[Category:Melissa Etheridge| ]]
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[[Category:American blues singers]]
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[[Category:Feminist musicians]]
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[[Category:People from Hidden Hills, California]]
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