Imagine Dragons declares shows ‘safe space’ for LGBTQ+ people -TGN

Dan Reynolds, lead singer of Imagine Dragons, and huge queer ally. (Getty)

Imagine Dragons has a history of solidarity with LGBTQ+ fans, and now they’ve officially declared their shows to be a “safe space” for queer people.

The importance of musicians standing up and showing their support for LGBTQ+ people cannot be understated. With 2023 shaping up to be a historic year for the community, and not in a good way – more anti-LGBTQ+ bills were filed in the US in February of this year than in all of 2022 – vocal allies have never been more important.

Take, for example, Hayley Williams of Paramore. In addition to headlining the “Love Rising” benefit concert in March, which raised money for queer organizations in the southern state of Tennessee, the pop punk star has used her platform to speak out against Ron DeSantis, Florida’s anti-LGBTQ+ governor and presidential hopeful.

“If you vote for Ron DeSantis, you’re dead to me,” she told a crowd in May, following DeSantis’ long and troubling history of legislating against queer people.

Pop icons from Madonna to Hozier and Taylor Swift have spoken out about anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and shared messages of support, while Beyoncé even did her worldwide Renaissance Tour an unashamed love letter to the gay community.

Now pop rock band Imagine Dragons, known for monster hits like “Demons” and “Radioactive,” is the latest in a long line of musicians using their concerts as a space to support queer people and shout down the bigoted.

During a scene in the tape new documentary, Imagine Dragons Live in Vegasfilmed at a concert in the band’s hometown, lead singer Dan Reynolds spots a fan in the audience holding a Progress Pride flag.

He grabs the flag and marches across the stage, holding the flag above his head, singing the lyrics “I’m never changing who I am” from their huge debut single “It’s Time”.

It is also not the first time that the band has shown solidarity with the community. Reynolds was founded in 2017 the annual LoveLoud festival in the USin an effort to raise awareness of “the realities of what LGBTQ+ teens face on a daily basis” and raise money for queer charities across the country.

He also stood up to parents who told him that he had angered God for “making so many kids gay”, while the band’s bassist, Ben McKee, can often be seen onstage with a guitar the same color as the trans flag.

“We care a lot about human rights, basic human rights, about the ability to love whoever you want,” Reynolds recently said. Insider.

“Some of us grew up with a religious background where we witnessed a lot of hatred, a lot of bigotry. And we try to contribute love to the world, to have a voice for those who can’t stand on a stage.

While Reynolds is adamant that the band “have done very little” and are not “righteous warriors who want to be heroic,” there’s an undeniable impact when you see cisgender, straight superstars on the charts alongside LGBTQ+ folk.

Especially when some celebrities with huge platforms seem intent on bringing down the community.

“Everyone deserves the right to feel involved,” bassist McKee added, before explaining why he decides to take the stage with the trans flag guitar.

“It just seemed like I got a chance to bring some of the symbols of that love and inclusion into the performance… I want everyone who comes to our shows to be able to feel that they’re represented by our music and to see something that makes them feel welcome.”

McKee said that as a child he spent his vacations near same-sex couples in his family, never knowing that inclusive environment didn’t exist for everyone. Now the band is making that safe space available to everyone.

“Imagine Dragons shows being a safe place for everyone,” he said.

Imagine Dragons: Live in Vegas is now available on Hulu.