Imagine Dragons frontman Dan Reynolds is on a mission to improve the way the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints treats the LGBTQ community.
Reynolds was raised Mormon, but as teen suicide rates in Utah have soared, he’s been fighting for greater acceptance within the church and to let queer Mormons know that they are seen and heard. In 2017, he teamed up with former Morman rocker Tyler Glenn to stage the first of what has become an annual music festival in Salt Lake City. LoveLoud, which takes place on July 28, aims to raise a million dollars for organizations like the Trevor Project and the Tegan and Sara Foundation as well as Utah-based LGBTQ charities.
The process of putting the first-ever LoveLoud festival together and Reynolds’s own interrogation of the LDS Church’s policies toward LGBTQ Mormons is the subject of HBO’s new Live Nation-produced documentary, Believer.
All of this landed Reynolds on Queerty’s Pride 50 list, a much-deserved honor.
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On tour with Imagine Dragons now, Reynolds took some time over the weekend to tell Queerty all about his hopes for the doc and the future of equality within the church.
Who is this documentary for?
This documentary is for everyone. I hope people understand the importance of fully accepting and loving our LGBTQ youth. I hope people are able to watch and feel the harsh realities that our LGBTQ youth are facing in faith-based communities. I hope it perpetuates change.
How did you first become interested in LGBTQ equality?
Growing up, I had a friend in middle school who was gay and Mormon. He hid his sexuality because he felt so much religious guilt. He feared that he wouldn’t be accepted by his peers. I also lost friends in high school to suicide. That is when I began to realize there was a conflict and something needed to change.
What does the church teach about homosexuality?
The church doctrine teaches that marriage and sexual relationships should remain between a male and female.
For those of us who didn’t grow up in the church, can you explain what are some positive teachings you have learned from Mormonism?
I have three little girls, who are my whole world and I love the idea that I can be with them forever. I also love the service aspect of the religion.
Why do you think the institution is slow in adjusting to current social issues?
The LDS Church believes in modern revelation, which essentially means that the church leaders, specifically the Prophet, communicate with God who then lets them know how to run the church. So members of the church believe that even if they want to change doctrines, the doctrines are not theirs to change, that is for God to decide. This makes for a very slow progression on social issues within the church, but as we saw with Polygamy in the late 1800’s and again with race issues in 1978, the church eventually evolves and progresses into a more loving and accepting entity.
Have you seen any progress in the church’s stance on same-sex relationships since the film was made?
As you see in the film, the church endorsed the LoveLoud festival last year. But shortly after during the church’s General Conference, the church reconfirmed their stance on “same-sex relationships.” I do believe the film and festival have ignited conversations that will hopefully help foster safer communities for our youth.
You’re headlining the second LoveLoud Festival next month. What impact has the festival had?
I think the LOVELOUD stage is the most important stage I will ever stand on. The festival has helped facilitate vital conversation about what it means to truly love and accept our LGBTQ youth.
Welcome to Queerty’s Pride50. We’re celebrating the members from our community who are responsible for some of the most inspiring and extraordinary moments for LGBTQ people over the last year. See all the honorees
oaksong
This a tear inducing film. It’s really well done. He was fed up with the teenage suicide rate and you get to watch as raising awareness becomes a consuming issue in his life.
Curtispsf
The world needs many more Dan Reynolds. He is a true LGBTQ ally who approaches the issue of queer acceptance from a very open and loving position. I don’t know if there is a God, but if there is, I think he/she would be smiling down very broadly at the work that Dan Reynolds is doing. And btw, I am NOW a bigger Imagine Dragons fan than I was before. Bless him.
RobtheElder
I want to start by saying that I am not a Mormon. I have Mormon friends who remain conflicted between the way God made them and what the Mormon Church teaches. Your message is certainly a message for everyone, religion notwithstanding. I don’t know the Imagine Dragons band, but I will make it my business to inform myself. I pray for all my (Mormon) friends, and will pray for you. Your mission is a pure one that would certainly be praised by our Creator… Fondly… RobtheElder
IWantAFullBeard
It’s always easy to be in support of something once it becomes mainstream and popular. But what about 20 years ago when it wasn’t cool. Where were you then?
strix1
Twenty years ago Dan was only 10-years old…ID and himself have supported several causes since they started becoming popular in music…be grateful he has chosen this issue and helped organize the LoveLoud Fest at this point in his career. One person can’t do everything.
zedus headus
Insstead of attacking allies and looking to the past, it might prove more constructive to focus on yourself and your efforts. Maybe the most relevant question is, what are you doing to help your community and what do you plan to do tomorrow?