Olly Alexander avoids going online due to homophobic ‘rape jokes’
The Years & Years frontman says he has a responsibility to speak out against homophobia.
Olly Alexander says he has been forced to avoid social media due to anti-gay bullying.
The singer says that he has learned not to check Twitter because he wants to avoid rape threats and other abuse.
“I get trolled,” he told this week’s NME. “The usual stuff – sometimes it’s homophobic, like gay hate.
“But I don’t understand why people ‘@’ me on Twitter to say ‘Olly Alexander can’t sing’ or ‘Olly Alexander, you’re ugly as f**k’.
“If we’ve been on TV I don’t go on Twitter for a while after,” he added.
“I get some people who are really gross and make rape jokes about me.”
“It’s f**ked up. That’s why I can’t read too much anymore because I don’t need to be seeing that shit.”
Alexander also explained why he has become such a staunch advocate for the LGBT community and mental health organisations.
“There was just this stage where I realised that people were listening to what I was saying and I could actually say something I believe in and, like – why wasn’t I doing that?” he explained.
“It’s not because I think I have a responsibility as a popstar or whatever; it’s because I think I have a responsibility as a human being.
“I care more about that than trying to maintain a distance or keep any kind of mystique going as an artist.”
The ‘Shine’ singer has been vocal about the need for gay role models, recently releasing a music video celebrating sexuality.
The 25-year-old revealed last month that growing up in a “straight world” caused him to suffer from anxiety and depression.
He continues to win praise for his frank and open approach to sexuality, and his willingness to help young fans come to terms with their own identity.
