Out singer Olly Alexander says in a new
interview that he's endured homophobic abuse.
The 25-year-old Alexander is the lead
singer of the British band Years & Years.
“I've been called names in the street
and hit and spat at,” Alexander told ES Magazine.
“I still feel uncomfortable holding
hands with my partner in public,” he said. “Homophobia is less
overt, sure, but it's still with us in insidious, institutionalized
forms.”
Alexander added that his lyrics are
about gay relationships because “that's who I am.”
“My lyrics are about same-sex
relationships, because that's who I am,” Alexander
said. “It was important to me that I felt comfortable
expressing myself. I'm always touched and humbled by the number of
people who come up to me and say they connect with my sexuality in
the songs. Other people just like the songs.”