Hozier on the LGB and trans community being targeted as “scapegoats”

nme.com:

Hozier has reflected on the current political and social climate across the globe, and stated that he feels the LGBTQ+ community are being targeted as scapegoats.The discussion took place during a new interview with NME last week (August 19), in which the Irish singer-songwriter opened up about the inspiration behind his music – particularly in his new album ‘Unreal Unearth’.Speaking to NME’s Nick Levine, Hozier – real name Andrew Hozier-Byrne – opened up on the backlash and prejudice commonly faced by members of the LGBTQ+ community, and the increasing ways that they are being used as “scapegoats” in difficult times.Asked about his longtime support for the LGBTQ+ community, and why he is so willing to speak up against oppressive attitudes without hesitation, Hozier said: “I find that a hard question to tackle in some succinct, definitive way.“But I think you should at least try to be honest, which is what I’ve tried to do in the work.

There’s always been space in my work for my own conscience and the way I view our responsibilities to the shared society we live in.“Also, I’m acutely aware – increasingly aware – that there’s always a portion of the population who are at risk of becoming scapegoated when things get difficult.”He continued, explaining how he thinks a lot of the backlash the community faces stems from the government’s inability to provide “easy answers” to difficult circumstances, and a tendency to shift the focus onto minority groups instead.“Political leaders do not have easy answers for the enormous questions they’re faced with – or even difficult answers, which are oftentimes more important for the difficult challenges that we all face with regard systems as they fail us collectively,” he added.“And so.