Sam Smith, who thinks gays shouldn’t make sexuality an issue, nominated for GLAAD award

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Sam Smith has been nominated for an award by LGBT advocacy group GLAAD – despite claiming gay people shouldn’t “make [sexuality] an issue”.

The ‘Stay With Me’ singer, who came out in May last year, has previously claimed that people need to “act” equal if they want equal rights.

He said: “I would say just be yourself. Don’t make it an issue. Let’s make it a normality.

“To make it equal, we need to act equal. Everyone just needs to focus on themselves as individuals and do what makes them happy, and be brave.”

Despite the comments, today he was nominated for Outstanding Music Artist at the GLAAD Media awards.

The singer also claimed that Grindr was “ruining romance”, saying: “We’re losing the art of conversation and being able to go and speak to people and you’re swiping people.

“Stop Tinder and Grindr!”

He will face competition including Against Me!, whose lead singer Laura Jane Grace has spoken out loudly in favour of equality after coming out as transgender – even fronting her own trans documentary series.

Smith recently revealed he is dating dancer Jonathan Zeizel, after the pair met on the set of one of the singer’s music videos.

PinkNews has approached GLAAD for comment.