People who have never dealt with depression think it's just being sad or being in a bad mood. That's not what depression is for me; it's falling into a state of grayness and numbness.
Dan Reynolds
Music speaks to people in a way that breaks down boundaries that words and actions sometimes can't.
It does not mean you're broken to have depression and anxiety. I would encourage you to speak out. Don't hold it inside. Talk to friends. Talk to parents. If it's available, go to a therapist.
Your life is always worth living.
LoveLoud isn't just for the youth, but also their families and friends. They can attend and become educated on how to truly love and accept our LGBTQ youth.
I always would dream of making music videos. Whenever I make music, I always have a visual in my mind. I always see things.
But I really believe that you don't do music because you want to, you do it because you have to.
I've spent a lifetime trying not to offend people - that's one thing that Mormons are really good at is smiling and shaking your hand and doing everything they can to not offend you. And I have gotten to this point in life where I don't want to live that way anymore.
My dad is my biggest source of inspiration. He's a lawyer, and when he'd get home, we always sat down and listened to music.
I promise to be the best missionary I can - a Mormon missionary for the LGBTQ community - and to hopefully use this privilege I've been given to give them a voice.
Mormonism truly was a part of my every decision since the day I was born. It taught me to serve others and to feel comfort about the next life. Who doesn't want to live for eternity and have a 'mansion in heaven'? It sounded like a rad deal to me when I was in my teenage years.
I've followed Tegan and Sara's music for quite a while, and I've been a fan of them and what they do and what they stand for. We've run into each other at one or two festivals over the years, and I kind of fanned out on them.
I'm tired of living the vanilla, non-offensive life. I think that's a really sad way to spend my life, and I lived it like that because that's what I was brought up in, taught to not rock the ship.
I'm about as privileged as you can get. I'm a white, male, heterosexual front man of a rock band.
I really don't want my daughters to know me for being that guy who sings songs.
One of my best friends was gay and Mormon, and I saw how conflicted he was. It was the first time my faith didn't align with my mind and heart and the first time I was being taught something at church that I was like, 'Hey, this doesn't seem right.'
I always like to leave art and music open to interpretation.
I was a little rebellious growing up.
There's not a day that goes by that I don't get an email from someone who is angry with me and tells me they're not going to let their kid listen to Imagine Dragons anymore.
When I was 18, I applied to go to BYU like my six brothers ahead of me - I have eight boys and one girl in my family.
There was nothing more I wanted to do than to see my dad react well to my music. I still do. I send him my demos all the time.
Now, there's parts about Mormonism that I love and appreciate. And as far as things that I was embarrassed about, I just don't feel it anymore.
There's nothing wrong or weak about seeking a therapist. I have a therapist.
I grew up and had a lot of friends who were gay and Mormon. They couldn't come out to their parents. They couldn't even come out to me because we just wouldn't talk about it.
I wouldn't recommend being a musician to anyone. It's not glamorous. It's a lot of being dirty, not eating, playing for five people and one of them is the bartender.
I do feel a need as a Mormon to speak out against things that are hurting people.
Being a Mormon is not a part-time religion. It is your life. You eat, sleep, and breathe Mormonism.
There is always a mix of apprehension and excitement before you try songs out on a new audience.
I've had so many parents ask me, 'So when should you talk about what it means to be gay or LGBTQ with a child?' I don't think there's any age that's too young.
When a Mormon knocks, they say, 'Can I teach you about Jesus Christ?' And if you say no, they'll say, 'Then how can I be of service to you?' So anybody who was smart would be like, 'You can take out my trash and mow my lawn.'
To be gay is beautiful and right and perfect; to tell someone they need to change their innermost being is setting up someone for an unhealthy life and unhealthy foundation.
Do I know there is a God? Some days I don't.
