Imagine Dragons Speak Out Against Conversion Therapy in Billboard Speech
LAS VEGAS, NV – MAY 01: (L-R) Daniel Platzman, Ben McKee, Dan Reynolds, and Wayne Sermon of Imagine Dragons accept Top Rock Artist onstage during the 2019 Billboard Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 1, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Imagine Dragons took home the award for Top Rock Artist at Wednesday’s Billboard Music Awards. But it was their acceptance speech that really had everyone talking.
Frontman Dan Reynolds used his time on stage to call attention to the prevalence of conversion therapy against LGBTQ individuals in the United States.
“I just want to take this moment to say there are still 34 states that have no laws banning conversion therapy,” Reynolds said. “On top of that 58 percent of our LGBTQ population live in those states.”
“This can change, but itâs going to take us talking to our legislation and pushing forward laws to protect our LGBTQ youth,” he added. “Lastly, we have seen with conversion therapy that our LGBTQ youth have doubled the rate of depression and tripled the rate of suicide.”
Reynolds has become a major advocate for the LGBTQ community, often using his platform to speak out against injustice. He also explored the Mormon church’s controversial beliefs on homosexuality last year for the documentary, Believer.
Check out Reynold’s acceptance speech below:
.@Imaginedragons take home this year's #BBMAs Top Rock Artist! đ€ pic.twitter.com/Zwnfh2nHme
— Billboard Music Awards (@BBMAs) May 2, 2019
