Hayley Kiyoko Opens Up About The Importance of Having LGBTQ+ Allies

Hayley Kiyoko is giving thanks for her fans’ support in the new issue of them. magazine.

The 28-year-old musician calls her fans ‘colorful’ while describing them in the feature, as well as opens up about relationship advice and the importance of allies. Check it:

On finding inspiration in relationship troubles and finding a partner fully comfortable being in a lesbian relations: “You want to have a partner who is ready to experience the things that you’re ready to experience. It can be frustrating when you fall in love with someone who’s maybe not there yet and you don’t want to put pressure on them, because it’s their own experience and we all know how difficult it is to be comfortable with who you are. It can become a very complicated dance in a relationship.”

On her supportive fanbase: “If people don’t believe in you, then… it’s tough. So I’m very grateful to have that support. [My fanbase is] small, strong, and mighty, but it’s growing and eventually, it will be very mainstream…. [They are] very passionate and colorful. I like the word ‘colorful’ because there’s a large spectrum of people out there, and they all have this glistening hope or need for hope, and I think that we all hold onto that. They brighten my day, and I think that they help other people and each other. I feel like they’re a very positive fan base, which I’m very proud of. They lift people up and defend each other. I like that a lot about them.”

On the importance of allies, including Taylor Swift: “[Allies] are just as important as people in the community supporting their community because they are taking the time to fight someone else’s fight. I think that exposure and validation goes a very long way no matter where it comes from… I can only speak for myself, but [Taylor Swift] has been very supportive of my music and she doesn’t have to be. It means a lot because she’s letting people know, ‘Hey, she’s gay, but she’s also really cool and normal.’ I’m very grateful for her friendship.”

For more of Hayley‘s interview, head to them.us.