A gay man in Russia has defied the country’s draconian anti-gay laws by performing a cover of Hozier’s “Take Me To Church” at a talent competition in small south western city Kursk, reports BreakingNews.

The song addresses the violence and bigotry suffered by LGBT citizens in Russia.

According to a post on Reddit, the man – identified only as Pedrinho – pointed towards his boyfriend when as he sang the line “I was born sick but I love it.”

Reddit member Boxersaurus wrote:

“My friend, a Brazilian medical student here in Russia was born in an extremely Catholic family, his father is a Pastor, born into a church family, this song really speaks to him. He came out when he was 12 years old, and until now, his family never truly accepted him.

“Even when he turned 19 years old, he was still not sure and got into bouts of depression, his family never supporting him. This is really him trying to sing out his pain. He’s not just gay and proud, he’s just human. Wanting to tell the world that he’s ok, and he’s surviving.

“And, that he finally found someone he can sing his song of life to, my best friend who ended up dating him, who is Malaysian and was brought up in an extremely Buddhist family. In his case, only his mother knew about his sexuality and it pained his mother so much, she fell sick.

“According to Hozier, this song is about what it is to be a human, what it is to love someone as a human being, and organizations that would undermine that, and undermine the more natural parts of being a person.

“If you feel offended or disgusted by the image of two people kissing, if that’s what it is, but you’re more disgusted by that than the actual violence…I think you should take a look at your values, maybe.”

Watch a video of Pedrinho’s performance and the original video for the song, AFTER THE JUMP…