Years & Years' Gay Kiss in “Desire” Video Is Censored On Russian Television
17 June 2016, 16:16 | Updated: 8 May 2017, 17:09
Years & Years' video is not welcome in Russia.
We've previously spoken at length about how important the Years & Years' music video for "Desire" was. The representation of non-binary gender and sexual identities in a mainstream pop video is a small but important step toward greater visibility for these minorities. Perhaps it isn't that surprising, however, that not everyone would see it that way.
As reported by Pink News, Years & Years revealed the music video for "Desire" was censored in Russia because frontman Olly Alexander makes out with another guy. Escandalo!
Olly said in the interview, "I've been surprised by how many people have got in touch to say it doesn't get shown on daytime TV whereas other videos get shown, which are just as risque as straight relationships. Someone got in touch with me just yesterday from Russia saying that they play it, they blur out the bit when I kiss another guy."
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It's not all bad news though, as he did add, "So many people have been so responsive seeing a queer-positive video, sex-positive video in a mainstream forum."
Well we f*cking loved it. And we love Olly. And Years & Years. How much? Well why don't you listen to our podcast in which we speak to the man himself! You can listen over here.
