Grammy-nominated Andrew Hozier-Byrne, or Hozier, has made a powerful video statement supporting gay marriage in Ireland. The Wicklow-born singer, whose anti-homophobia anthem and video for Take Me To Church (also turned into a beautiful David LaChapelle video featuring Ukrainian ballet dancer Sergei Polunin), has spoken out in advance of the referendum on 22nd May. He states: “I firmly believe that the upcoming referendum is not simply a gay rights issue, or a civil rights issue, but one of basic human rights. I think it’s one that reflects on all of us and it’s an issue that deserves everyone’s involvement.”
Hozier goes on to say that the straight community should support the LGBT community to make “a clear statement that we value the equal treatment of people on our shores” and he sees it as a time for “our generation to stand up and take into our own hands the future of our nation and its values.”
He encourages everyone who believes in equal love and anyone who hates religious or “family values” fear-mongering to join him in the vote. The singer admits that he’s felt like his values have been undermined by his country’s law for far too long, so is calling on change.