“Why are a man and a man not allowed to get married in this room? Because it’s the most natural thing.”
Smith said this to Rolling Stone while talking about his video for “Lay Me Down,” when a priest told him they were breaking the rules just by shooting footage in a church. The whole video is incredibly beautiful. It illustrates how all human love is innate and defies race, religion, gender, sexuality or social class.
On unrequited love
“I fell in love with someone who didn’t love me back and it made me get into this headspace of, ‘Will I find a man to love? When will I find love?'”
The singer revealed to Digital Spy in 2014 that his smash hit album was inspired by his unrequited love for a straight man. The information resounded with fans, because who hasn’t had feelings about someone who didn’t feel the same? Who hasn’t feared that they would never find love?
On broken hearts
“On the record, you can hear heartbreak, and there’s a beauty in that I will always treasure.”
There’s a reason Smith is so successful: The man just has a way with words. There was poetry in just his explanation of “In the Lonely Hour” to Teen Vogue, let alone the music itself. Listeners treasure the beauty in his heartbreak, too, judging by fan reactions to the album.
On being anti-Tinder
“No offense to people who go on Tinder, but I just feel like it’s ruining romance, I really do.”
Smith told reporters that he felt old-fashioned courting was the most effective road to love. He caught some flack for his anti-Tinder and Grindr statements, but we have to agree that apps can be less than romantic at times.
On changing times
“With the whole gay thing, I’ve had zero reaction, which says something beautiful about our generation and how things are getting a little bit better.”
While Smith has admitted in other interviews that the struggle for gay rights is far from over throughout the world, he said to Teen Vogue recently that his experience as an openly gay entertainer has been extremely positive, helping the rest of us take comfort in the fact that that we are evolving as a society.
On gay questioning
“I want to make it a normality because this is a nonissue. People wouldn’t ask a straight person these questions.”
When speaking to Fader magazine last year, Smith referred to being gay as “as normal as my right arm.” He’s right, it should be a nonissue, but we’re glad he’s still willing to talk about the topic in an inspirational manner.
On being vulnerable
“I think a lot of people don’t wear their hearts on their sleeves. I think people should, but a lot of people don’t.”
In Interview magazine, Smith admitted that his music makes him vulnerable. This quote hits home to those of us who build up walls and serves as a reminder to let go a little.
LGBT marriage rights
“This video shows my dreams that one day, gay men and women and transgendered men and women all over the world, like all our straight families and friends, will be able to get married under one roof, in any city, in any town, in any village, in any country.”
Smith issued this statement on Facebook after the debut of “Lay Me Down.” It’s a beautiful sentiment for a beautiful song and video.
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