At a concert over the weekend at the Lollapalooza Brazil Festival, Imagine Dragons frontman Dan Reynolds waved a rainbow flag for the massive cheering crowd.
Reynolds isn’t the most obvious LGBTQ ally, and that’s what makes him such a great one.
The musician grew up in the LDS church and still considers himself a Mormon, and that led many fans to assume he has an antigay viewpoint.
Nothing could be further from the truth, and in recent years, Reynolds has become one of the most vocal high profile allies to LGBTQ causes in music.
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Speaking to Billboard about why he’s taken such a loud and visible stance, he said:
“One of the reasons I’ve felt such a need to speak out on this is I’ve gotten countless emails and letters from fans around the world who said, “I’m gay, but I know you’re Mormon so that probably means you don’t accept my lifestyle, but I love ‘It’s Time’ and your music.
That was devastating and it broke my heart to get letters like that. I’ve written back to these people to tell them, “No, I do support you and I’m here for you.”
goodnight only to a legend aka dan reynolds pic.twitter.com/9X0M1iDj8S
— ? julia E (@j_spacebreather) March 25, 2018
And his support goes beyond waving a flag.
His upcoming film, Believer, follows the performer as he embraces his role as an advocate for LGBTQ Mormons, who still face pressure from parents and the church to conform to heteronormative expectations or be shunned.
Reynolds received the Trevor Project’s 2017 Hero Award, telling the crowd:
“To be gay is beautiful and right and perfect—to tell someone they need to change their inner-most being is setting up someone for an unhealthy life and unhealthy foundation.
I know a lot of Mormon youth who are gay and hide it because they feel as though God hates them or God is judging them. In Utah, the number one reason for death among teenagers is suicide.”
Believer premiered at Sundance in January, where it received a standing ovation. It will be aired on HBO later this year.
Check out a clip below:
Armiya
Would this have been just as newsworthy had he not been shirtless, in the eyes of Queerty? Probably not.
barkomatic
He held up a rainbow flag at Lollapalooza in Brazil to let his fans know that he’s ok with being gay and so should they. He happened to be shirtless at the time and yeah, he’s really nice to look at. Young men often are and since we are a sexual minority I don’t see a problem with publishing the photo.
You should go to the Disney site if you don’t want to see shirtless guys or join a Victorian club where you can wear a full body suit while swimming. Don’t forget your parasol — the sun is hot.
Bryguyf69
And what exactly is wrong with being shirtless? It’s actually relevant here because, like being gay-positive, being shirtless flies in the face of Mormon conservatism. So being shirtless while waving a gay flag is doubly subversive.
DarkZephyr
What problem do you have with shirtless men and gay human sexuality?
Bryguyf69
barkomatic wrote: “let his fans know that he’s ok with being gay”
—
A quick gentle correction. Reynolds is straight. And married with children. His wife is musician, Aja Volkman.
http://www.justjared.com/2017/03/30/imagine-dragons-dan-reynolds-welcomes-twin-daughters-with-wife-aja-volkman/
Rican_in_Portland
Omg who cares if he’s shirtless or not? Human sexuality is a part of life. I come to queerty for my daily dose of happenings and eye candy. Why is that wrong? lol. Take a chill pill.
Andm67
shirtless or not it’s a big step showing people no matter what your religion is that you believe everyone is equal!
Armiya
Ya all missed the point completely. I’m could give a flying f*ck if the guy is shirtless. Good on him for being an evolved Mormon, and it’s so cute to suggest I need to watch Disney with a parasol lol I don’t have a problem with his sexuality, I don’t care wtf he does and like you, I can comment. But again you missed the point of what I made, no need to argue.
spacecadet
Well said barkomatic!
Bryguyf69: I believe what barkomatic was trying to say is that Reynolds is okay with people being gay, and not saying that Reynolds is himself gay.
crowebobby
“. . .to tell someone they need to change their inner-most being is setting up someone for an unhealthy life and unhealthy foundation.” This is beautiful!
ChrisK
Now Queerty. The commenter only questioned you using a shirtless pic of him which was well within your new comment policy.
DarkZephyr
I am starting to get very annoyed with these gays who cluck their tongues at people enjoying hot shirtless guys. Its ridiculous.
Armiya
Sorry guy get annoyed dude, but maybe to some it comes across as valid? I enjoy shirtless guys as much as a well dressed guy. But someone shows their belly button on IG and suddenly here it’s newsworthy? That’s the point I was trying to make. Best of to whomever ya wish. And just like you, I have an opinion or find something to snark, just like you.
Armiya
*sorry you get annoyed dude.
Cylest Brooks
@ChrisK… no comments have been deleted from this thread as far as I’m aware. So…? You’re right?
BravBluRibbon
Anyone supporting our community is aces in my book. Shirtless is probably how he appeared on stage anyway. I’m glad for his worldwide announcement.
dgsea06
My only query is to “Which”? Mormon Superstar? As if we get to choose from a bunch of them. Love the story, QUEERTY, thanks to him and god bless, but the only other one was Donny Osmond and he NEVER took his shirt off. Wish he had, cutest li’l butt on stage at the time.
Utah? Yup, been there done that, might return in my old age.
If anyone can supply more shirtless mormon superstars to this site, PLEEZE DO!
michael
Google “Donny Osmond Shirtless Images” and a dozen pics come up.
tham
I love Imagine Dragons.
spacecadet
He is a cutie and I enjoy his music and performances. Would love to see his band in concert sometime.
dgsea06
Michael, Thanks! I did “google” and either forgot or missed the shirtless DonnyO all those years ago. Total cutie and with that Zac Efron tummy, even MarieO almost agreed. Nice kids, nice people and if the, um, Mormons continue to demonstrate the name of their church, “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints”. The “Jesus Christ” part is important. Read the New Testament, not the Old one: Jesus preached and taught tolerance, acceptance, love for one another and human dignity. The highest qualities we humans can achieve. Disappointing that so many “Christians” preach exclusion, hostility and hate.
I’m still waiting for more shirtless mormon superstars to show up for my morning eye-candy coffee and a kick in the whatsit on my way to work.
GayEGO
Well, I am an ex-Mormon gay guy!
Stilinski26
But I thought Straight white Christian men were supposed to be our number on enemy?
Hank
he does it now, but nothing will erase the evil he did when he was a missionary and teach young gay people to be ashamed of who they were.