Dan Reynolds Calls Out Use Of Homophobic Slur After Eminem Drops Surprise Album

Twitter was ablaze Aug. 31 when Eminem dropped his surprise album, “Kamikaze.”

That was also the day Imagine Dragons’ frontman Dan Reynolds took to the social media platform to call out people who use a homophobic slur, tweeting, “I don’t care who you are.”

Most connected the dots to the song “The Fall,” in which Eminem calls fellow rapper Tyler the Creator a slur typically used to describe a gay man.

Reynolds, a heterosexual man and a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has made headlines lately for his push for LGBTQ+ inclusivity. He’s the force behind the LOVELOUD Fest, an event aimed at fostering support for LGBTQ+ young people. July’s event brought between 35,000 and 40,000 to the Rice-Eccles stadium.

Though he didn’t mention the song or Eminem by name, Reynolds began with a single tweet following Eminem’s album release and elaborated through a series of tweets over the following days:

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

Reynolds final tweet on the subject in Sept. 3 was followed by another where he recounted his experience playing a concert in Russia as hundreds of fans held up rainbow flags during his performance.

Eminem’s feed included only promotional tweets for his album.