Stereo Kicks' Chris: 'Yes' vote has made Ireland more united'

Stereo Kicks’ Chris Leonard’s has praised the outcome of Ireland’s historic referendum on equal marriage last month, saying it has made his home country “more united”.

Speaking to the new issue of aTEEN as part of a 55-page Stereo Kicks special, the singer discussed his own experiences of being bullied at school and his relationship with gay people.

“I have a lot of gay friends. They tell me it wasn’t easy for them to come out. But it’s getting more acceptable now,” he said. “But sadly there are still small-minded people who make gay people feel like they can’t be themselves.

“But it’s changing. The passing of the same-sex marriage bill in Ireland is great because it makes people realise that we are all equal. Every generation gets a chance to change history and the passing of the bill is so important and made Ireland more united.

“You have to remember there was a time when women didn’t have the vote or multi-racial marriages were frowned upon. Small-minded people didn’t accept people. But this referendum has made a big change and I am so pleased it has been happened.

The 19-year-old added: “If I was PM I would want someone to be feel like they were accepted, no one should feel like they don’t belong because of who they are attracted to. People should be allowed to love who they love. A person is a person. They should be treated well regardless of their sexuality or their race. I would have no tolerance for sexism or racism.”

Meanwhile, Chris’s band mate Barclay Beales has discussed his growing gay fanbase after he stripped off for Attitude last year – click here to read more.

You can read the full interview with Chris, Barclay and the rest of the Stereo Kicks boys in the new issue aTEEN, available to download NOW from Pocketmags.com/aTEEN.

As well as a 55-page Stereo Kicks bonus magazine, featuring eight exclusive interviews and 70 brand new pictures of the boys, the new issue features X Factor’s Jake Quickenden, Cucumber’s Dino Fetscher, YouTube star Conor Franta, a big gay farewell to TV’s Glee and a host of real life stories told and problems solved.

Stereo Kicks’ Chris: ‘Yes’ vote has made Ireland more united’

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