Sam Smith Takes a Bold Stand for Marriage Equality in His New Video

In the middle of the night Wednesday, Sam Smith premiered a new video for his song "Lay Me Down." It depicts two men's joyful wedding, along with the somber funeral that ends their love too soon. With it, Smith takes the most compelling stand there is for the sanctity of LGBT marriage: love.

Smith released the video with an accompanying statement on Twitter:

The video is full of beautiful moments well-matched to his deep sentiment. Smith smiles as he sings the song's chorus — "Can I lay by your side, next to you / And make sure you're all right?" — and looks at his husband. It's difficult to imagine that anyone could watch this love, charted all the way from its beginning to its end, and label it an "abomination." Hopefully, the video will do its part in helping this scene become an unquestioned reality throughout the world.

The timing of the video could not be more perfect. The song was the first single released off his breakout album In the Lonely Hour. Now, heading into Grammys weekend, is the perfect time to look back at where it all started. Smith is set to sweep at the awards show. He's received six nominations, for Best New Artist, Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Pop Solo Performance, Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album. He has a good shot at winning many of these. Few artists deserve them more.