VIDEO: Hozier hit inspires gay man in Russia

Redditor 'boxersaurus' is living there and they filmed their gay friend, Pedrinho, singing a cover of Hozier's global hit "Take Me To Church" at a talent competition in a tiny town in the country.

According to the post, Pedrinho pointed towards his boyfriend when he sang the line "I was born sick. But I love it", which is quite dangerous considering the official attitude to gay men in Russia.

Boxersaurus said in their Reddit post: "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."

The song has obviously hit a chord with Pedrinho and his friends, as Boxersaurus explained: "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.

"I don't think there really should be a controversy when we're talking about a basic human right and the equal treatment of people. Electing a person in the place of an organization, like the church, as something that is worth worshiping and something that is worth loving, something tangible and real.

"There's a lot to the song, but if I need to stand up and swing from the corner, I'm happy to do that."

They went on to quote the Wicklow singer, who said the song is not an attack on faith: "Coming from Ireland, obviously, there's a bit of a cultural hangover from the influence of the church. You've got a lot of people walking around with a heavy weight in their hearts and a disappointment, and that s--t carries from generation to generation

"So the song is just about that - it's an assertion of self, reclaiming humanity back for something that is the most natural and worthwhile. Electing, in this case a female, to choose a love who is worth loving."

They signed off their post with "Peace, hugs and love, Aisyah. :)"