Imagine Dragons’ Dan Reynolds pleads for faith leaders to disavow gay cure therapy
Frontman Dan Reynolds of Imagine Dragons performs during the Origins Experience pop-up concert at The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas on November 7, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Ethan Miller/Getty)
Imagine Dragons singer Dan Reynolds has urged religious leaders to disavow gay cure therapy.
Reynolds, who is a member of the Mormon Church and a strong ally of LGBT+ rights, made the plea after a bid to ban conversion therapy was killed off in Utah.
Imagine Dragons singer Dan Reynolds: Orthodox leaders must denounce conversion therapy
In a series of messages on Twitter on Wednesday (March 20), Reynolds said: “I plead with our religious leaders across the world to stand up for equality together. true equality – not empty words of love – but statements and actions that show our LGBTQ youth that they are ‘sinless’ and perfect just as they are.
“Until these changes are made within the doctrines of orthodox faith, we will continue to see increased rates of suicidality and depression/anxiety amongst our LGBTQ youth.”
Dan Reynolds of Imagine Dragons attends the 22nd Annual Hollywood Film Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on November 4, 2018 in Beverly Hills, California. (Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty)
Reynolds added: “Until the leaders of all orthodox faiths denounce conversion therapy and accept our LGBTQ youth into full fellowship I believe we will continue to see a great exodus from all orthodox faith.
“We are not a generation that will stand for intolerance, homophobia or racism.
“And to those that say the simple answer is for our youth to just leave religion – it isn’t that simple.
“Many of these LGBTQ youth will be kicked out of the home and put into a more dangerous situation if they denounce the faith of their family.
“Also many find peace in their faith. they love it. it brings them comfort in a sad and oftentimes scary world.”
Reynolds continued: “It is now up to our leaders to LEAD. How many more children will be lose before we practice true love in our churches?”
Imagine Dragons singer Dan Reynolds is a long-time LGBT+ ally
Reynolds organises an annual LGBT+ music festival in Utah, LOVELOUD, that benefits local and national LGBT+ charities.
The line-up for 2019’s festival includes Kesha, Tegan & Sara, Pvris, and Against Me! singer Laura Jane Grace.
Its website explains: “LOVELOUD was created in 2017 by Dan Reynolds, the lead singer of Imagine Dragons to help ignite the relevant and vital conversation of what it means to unconditionally love, understand, accept and support LGBTQ+ youth in an effort to keep families together.
“LOVELOUD is the catalyst for bringing communities together to start the conversation and celebrate individuality. It all begins with talking about, sharing and showing the realities of what LGBTQ+ teens face daily.”
In November, Reynolds spoke out about the abuse he receives from anti-gay parents for openly supporting the LGBT+ community.
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.”
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.”
