Sam Smith Expresses Empathy For Russian Gay Men and Women

Recently, Sam Smith took to Instagram to reach out to Russia's LGBT population with a message of empathy and support. Inspired by the three-part BBC special Reggie Yates' Extreme Russia, which dedicates a full episode to the country's gay population, Smith expressed his heartbreak at their struggles:

I'm watching Reggie Yates extreme Russia. And I'm sitting here in tears. Watching a man discuss how he would kill gay men and woman with rocks if the law allowed it. I just want any gay men or woman who are in Russia right now, to know I am thinking about you all the time. And I'm so sorry you have to go through what you're going through seeing it visually being said, is so horrific. Massive hug to @regyates as well!! Seriously brave. Please watch this guys if you haven't xx p.s. I am not saying all of Russia is like this at all. There is prejudice and homophobia in every country, I know.

A photo posted by Sam Smith (@samsmithworld) on Sep 11, 2015 at 12:43pm PDT