Sam Smith thinks banning gay marriage in churches is like outlawing people with big noses.
The openly gay singer debuted the video for his track Lay Me Down on Thursday and used the platform to draw attention to a cause close to his heart. It shows two men tying the knot and was shot in a church just outside London, UK, with Sam proud to be standing up for equality.
"Obviously gay marriage isn't legal in churches, and we're doing a gay marriage today, in the church. We're the first ever to do it. It's obviously not a real marriage, but still," he told Rolling Stone from the set.
"Going to the church today, it's like, 'This is the first time we've let people with big noses in.' That's the equivalent to me. I'm walking in, I'm going, 'Why? Why are a man and a man not allowed to get married in this room?' Because it's the most natural thing."
The Grammy-nominated star used Facebook to talk more about the issue. The promo was directed by Ryan Hope and both men hope it will go some way to show things need to change.
“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 any roof, in any city, in any town, in any village, in any country. I hope you enjoy it. I love you all,” he wrote.
The video begins with a funeral scene inside a church, with mourners crying as Sam stands at the altar singing the heartfelt ballad. As the camera sweeps to the back of the church, it then turns into a wedding scene, with the singer exchanging heartfelt vows with his male partner.
However, far from a happy ending, the video ends with Sam sitting by himself in an empty pew – a symbolic statement about gay marriage not yet being accepted in the church system.
"It's the same with racism. We have so far to go with all of these things," he told Rolling Stone. "So people need to stop resting and thinking, 'It's all good. We don't need to work anymore,' and start protesting again."
