Elton John singles out Florida as he warns of 'growing swell' of homophobia in the US: 'It’s like a virus'

British singer Elton John warned the United States is experiencing a “growing swell of anger and homophobia” as states like Florida see a rise in legislation that curtails LGBTQ+ rights, the New York Times reports.

“There’s violence, [discriminatory] laws enacted in Florida, which are disgraceful," John said in an interview published by Radio Times. "There’s a law now that, if you visit a doctor in Florida, they can refuse to treat you if you’re gay, which I find just unbelievable. We seem to be going backwards. And that spreads. It’s like a virus that the LGBTQ+ movement is suffering.”

“I don’t like it at all,” John said. “It’s a growing swell of anger and homophobia that’s around America.”

“We seem to be going backwards,” the singer added. “And that spreads. It’s like a virus that the LGBTQ+ movement is suffering.”

John, who is currently on is Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour, said he doesn’t plan on doing a residency in the U.S. after his tour ends.

Per the New York Times:

That, his representatives said, is for the same reason that he had decided to stop touring: He wants to spend more time with his husband and children, who live in Britain.

Read the full report at the New York Times.