Imagine Dragons singer trolled by anti-LGBT parents for ‘making kids gay’
Dan Reynolds of Imagine Dragons is outspoken about LGBT rights (Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images for IMDb)
Imagine Dragons singer Dan Reynolds has spoken out about the abuse he receives from anti-gay parents for openly supporting the LGBT community.
In an interview with Vulture, the band’s lead vocalist said he has had messages from people saying they have banned their children from going to his concerts.
“Going into this, I knew there would be people on the far right who were going to be upset,” he said.
“People tell me they won’t allow their kids to go to my concerts anymore; that when I get to heaven, God’s going to be upset with me because I made so many kids gay.”
Reynolds perfoming with a rainbow flag (Jerod Harris/Getty)
Reynolds added he believed “everybody has to do their part” when it comes to LGBT rights.
Mental health among LGBT youth
The musician also spoke about mental health and suicide rates among young people in the LGBT community.
He said: “I have seen so much damage done to these families.
“I’ve met with so many parents who’ve lost kids to suicide. I have so much fire about it. I want change, and I know that I can help make change.”
A study published earlier this year found more than half (51 percent) of trans male teenagers have attempted suicide in the past year, according to researchers at the University of Arizona.
The data also found that more than four in 10 (42 percent) of non-binary adolescents and 30 percent of trans female teens had attempted suicide.
Reynolds made a speech about equality for LGBT youth at Love Loud festival (Jerod Harris/Getty)
LGBT equality speech
Earlier this year, Reynolds made an impassioned speech about equality, in which he sent a message of “love” and “peace” to LGBT+ youth.
The singer of the pop band made the comments during a headline set at the Love Loud Festival on Saturday night (July 28) in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Proceeds from the festival went to LGBT youth charities, including The Trevor Project, the Tegan and Sara Foundation, and Encircle.
Reynolds paused about midway through the performance, saying: “I was just informed that we have officially raised our goal tonight of over $1 million.
“You did this by coming tonight from all walks of life [and] all sides.”
Reynolds added: “I hope that tonight and today, you know, you know, that your sexuality is pure. And it’s true. And it’s clean.
“I hope that you know, you are needed. We need you. I don’t want to hear any more stories of youth taking their lives in Utah. We must change our culture. We must change the way we see each other.”
