Imagine Dragons singer Dan Reynolds has taken to social media to castigate Eminem over a gay slur included in a song on the rapper’s latest release.
Bon Iver singer Justin Vernon, who sings on the single, has also issued a public condemnation of the song, saying he wants the single “killed.” He wasn’t in the studio when Eminem’s vocals were recorded, he said in a series of tweets, and when he found out the slur was in the song he unsuccessfully asked for it to be removed.
Reynolds, a straight man who champions LGBTQ rights, also took to social media to chastise the rapper. Eminem has continuously used anti-gay slurs in his songs. He has waffled between “apologizing” for using the terms and defending his use of them as “art.”
Related: Imagine Dragons singer debuts new film targeting LGBT discrimination by Mormons
Never Miss a Beat
Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights.
“It’s never ok to say a word that is filled with hate. I don’t care what year you were born in or what meaning it has to you,” Reynolds tweeted at the beginning of a multi-day takedown of both Eminem and the culture that excuses his repeated slurs. “If it contributes to hate and bigotry then it is hateful. Period.”
“There is never an ok time to say the word fa**ot. I don’t care who you are.”
Reynolds also touched on his activism as a straight ally in his tweets, including why he spoke up about Eminem.
“I don’t speak for the LGBTQ community. If they want 2 reclaim the word for themselves that is their decision & their’s only,” he tweeted. “I was only speaking to someone of great influence thinking it’s ok for him to say it time after time for years. It’s not.”
it’s never ok to say a word that is filled with hate. I don’t care what year you were born in or what meaning it has to you.
if it contributes to hate and bigotry then it is hateful. period.
there is never an ok time to say the word fa**ot
I don’t care who you are.
— Dan Reynolds (@DanReynolds) August 31, 2018
it’s disgusting to be told this is being “overly sensitive” or “millennial”.
LGBTQ kids are TAKING THEIR LIVES after being bullied with homophobic slurs.
it’s not “sensitive” to take a stand against a word that has been used to spread hate for years.
— Dan Reynolds (@DanReynolds) September 2, 2018
I’ve lived enough of my life remaining silent on these issues because of fear or lack of education.
I don’t live in fear anymore.
I still have lots to learn. but no. I will not be a silent voice with this platform I have been given.
— Dan Reynolds (@DanReynolds) September 2, 2018
2 things to say
1. in trying to be an ally it it’s v easy for a straight white “famous” man to be lauded as a hero for simply saying a few words and organizing an event. I have done v little and am no hero. I’m not seeking to be one. I want change. Period.
— Dan Reynolds (@DanReynolds) September 3, 2018
2. I don’t speak for the LGBTQ community. If they want 2 reclaim the word for themselves that is their decision & their’s only. I was only speaking to someone of great influence thinking it’s ok for him to say it time after time for years. It’s not
and with that I’m done on this
— Dan Reynolds (@DanReynolds) September 3, 2018
