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.”