Olly Alexander: I think the reason I’ve been so committed to advocacy is because I see so many people in pain
The Years & Years frontman is one of the most well-known LGBT activists
By Steve Brown
Olly Alexander is committed to advocacy because he sees “so many people in pain”.
The Years & Years frontman is one of the most overtly queer artists out there and is now one of many out artists including the likes of Troye Sivan, MNEK, Hayley Kiyoko and Kim Petras.
And the singer has become one of the most well-known mainstream LGBT activists and he admitted the reason he is passionate about advocacy is because he has seen a lot of people in pain.
He told the Independent: “I think the reason I’ve been so committed to advocacy is because I see so many people in pain.
“We’re seeing a lot of infiltration of mainstream spaces which is super exciting and positive but… I don’t know if I’d call it a tipping point.
“I just don’t know if the perception of that ‘successful’ queer pop narrative is reflected in the realities of people’s lives.
“A lot of the fans who message me are really suffering. I really do worry there isn’t enough being done to help – enough provision in place.”
The singer also admitted that he believes the music industry has “entrenched homophobia” behind the scenes at all levels.
He added: “There’s entrenched homophobia behind the scenes at all levels of the music industry.
“It’s got much better, but I think it’s gonna take a radical shift before these men who are in control of the funds and the labels and the radio stations are gonna be OK with overt queerness.
“They see it as turning off part of the audience.”