Jason Mraz speaks up for gay rights, announces SA tour

American star Jason Mraz has spoken out for LGBT equality, ahead of his newly announced tour to South Africa.

In an interview with South Koreas’s JTBC News this week, the I’m Yours singer was asked about his support for same-sex marriage rights and what he would say to critics.

“We’re always evolving, ever-changing, growing, expanding. And to treat… lesbians and gays… as second-class citizens, as non-equals, is following old education, is following old tradition,” Mraz said.

When the interviewer countered, “Sometimes, old education is right,” Mraz responded: “Sure in some practices… But in case of the human experience, everyone deserves a fair experience in life, regardless of how you were born. Everyone deserves to be treated fairly.”

While homosexuality is not criminalised in South Korea, the country is deeply conservative, offers few protections for LGBT people and does not recognise same-sex relationships.

On Wednesday, it was announced that following the success of his tour in the US, the East and Australia, the multi-Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter will perform in South Africa for the first time early next year.

The tour includes two concerts, together with the band Raining Jane, at the Teatro at Montecasino on Thursday, 26 February 2015 and Friday, 27 February 2015 followed by one Cape Town concert at Grand Arena, Grand West on 01 March 2015.

Tickets are now available through Computicket.