Melissa Lou Etheridge (born May 29, 1961) is an American rock singer-songwriter and musician. She has received fifteen Grammy Award nominations winning two, one Academy Award and has sold twenty-seven million albums worldwide and almost fourteen million in the United States alone. She has also been an iconic gay and lesbian activist since her public coming out in January 1993.

Melissa came out about her sexual orientation at Bill Clinton's Presidential inauguration celebration. Since then she has been an advocate for gay rights.

Melissa and her partner Julie Cypher had two children: Bailey and Beckett. Julie was the birth mother and David Crosby the sperm donor. She and Julie
share custody of the children.

In September 2000, Melissa and Julie ended their relationship. Melissa released her seventh album, Skin and a tell all biography The Truth is: My Life in Love and Music.

In April 2003, Etheridge became engaged to actress Tammy Lynn Michaels. The two had a commitment ceremony in Malibu, California, on September 20, 2003. Their wedding was featured on ABC's InStyle Celebrity Weddings.

In October 2004, Etheridge was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent chemotherapy.

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. She said that the drug improved her mood and increased her appetite.

In April 2006, Etheridge and Michaels announced that Michaels was pregnant with twins via an anonymous sperm donor. Michaels gave birth to a daughter, Johnnie Rose and a son, Miller Steven, on October 17, 2006.

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