Dan Reynolds Is Doing Whatever It Takes For LGBTQ+ Equality

Dan Reynolds is doing whatever it takes to advocate for LGBTQ+ equality.

The singer has passionately used his platform as the frontman of the Grammy-winning rock band Imagine Dragons since the band's inception.

Reynolds has gone above and beyond to show his support for the community, including the launch of the LOVELOUD Festival (which has raised millions for LGBTQ+ charities) to even donating his Las Vegas childhood home as a safe space for LGBTQ+ youth.

This year, the LOVELOUD festival is hitting a monumental fifth year and expanding to new places. Originating as a festival that took place solely in Salt Lake City, UT, the event is hitting the road this year and also performing for crowds in Austin, TX and Washington D.C.

"This is our first time doing multi-city! I feel like the LOVELOUD lineup is really underrated. We've had so many awesome performers throughout the years. This is our best year yet," Reynolds tells Out.

With headliners like David Archuleta, LAUV, Victoria Monét, and VINCINT, the LOVELOUD festival is bringing in A-list talent to share the message of love and inclusivity, especially for vulnerable LGBTQ+ youth.

"I'm excited for people to get out and experience the great music, but most importantly, experience a safe place where they can bring their family out. LOVELOUD is about families coming out together to support their LGBTQ+ youth. That's been our goal since the beginning."

As LGBTQ+ rights are continuously attacked in the United States and around the world, Reynolds is hoping festivals like LOVELOUD will bring visibility and an abundance of support as the community continues to strive for basic equality.

"Everybody's there for a cause. Everybody's there to celebrate our LGBTQ+ youth. We have incredible speakers that come out every year. Above all, there's a magical feeling in the air that I can't really put into words. It's a really rad thing when a lot of people gather for a united cause that's beyond just the music."

Growing up in a Mormon household, Reynolds witnessed many of his friends and family members experience depression and isolation as a result of the church's problematic and homophobic doctrine.

"I grew up in the art community in Las Vegas and was surrounded with a lot of really talented LGBTQ+ youth. I grew up with a lot of people who were queer and closeted because they were afraid to come out to their family or community, because frankly, they were rejected. I lost some of my friends to suicide. They felt they had no place that was safe for them in their community."

Once Reynolds built a massive platform thanks to Imagine Dragons' soaring popularity, he immediately took action to help save lives.

"Seeing that from a young age, I knew what I was being taught at church was incorrect. I've done my little part to try and stand up for my friends and that's what LOVELOUD is... trying to make the world a little better one city at a time."

Beyond LOVELOUD, Reynolds and Imagine Dragons proudly display rainbow imagery and wave the progressive flag at every live show to show their support for the LGBTQ+ community around the world.

"It takes very little effort, but I do think it's meaningful. We don't have to go outside the US to find places that are still unsafe for our LGBTQ+ youth, but it's a simple act to demonstrate standing with our youth. I love them and I stand with them. I'm here to fight with them."

Fans can get tickets to the LOVELOUD Festival on the official website here. To see the full interview with Dan Reynolds, check out the video below.