Arts & Entertainment
Imagine Dragons’ Reynolds takes LGBTQ advocacy to Washington
Dan Reynolds is not gay, but he takes being an LGBTQ ally very seriously.
The Imagine Dragons frontman has long been a fierce and dedicated advocate for LGBTQ acceptance, something he recently took to the next level by heading to Washington, DC, to meet with federal lawmakers about implementing a nationwide ban on so-called “conversion therapy.”
Reynolds, joined by Neon Trees’ Tyler Glenn and “RuPaul‘s Drag Race” star Carmen Carrera, met earlier this month with several lawmakers, including Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney, Co-Chair of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus, and Rep. Ted Lieu, a Vice-Chair of the Equality Caucus, at the U.S. Capitol, to lobby for a federal ban on conversion therapy. In his social media posts, Reynolds shared that they also spoke with Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Sen. Mitt Romney, and Rep. Kevin McCarthy, among others.
After visiting with the lawmakers, Reynolds said, “Sadly it takes a straight man with a lot of privilege to come in as well, to actually get things done. And I think that’s a damn shame, in 2020 something you’d think would not be necessary. But it’s just a truth of the matter.”
Only 19 states currently ban conversion therapy, though Virginia’s State Senate last month passed a bill banning the practice and the state’s House of Representatives passed their version of the bill on Monday. The two versions will be reconciled into a final bill before being sent to Governor Ralph Northam to sign.
Reynolds’ LGBTQ became known for his LGBTQ activism in 2016, when he and Glenn became co-founders of the LOVELOUD Festival, to raise awareness to the issues impacting LGBTQ youth. In 2017, the Imagine Dragons singer started the LOVELOUD Foundation, as a way to “bring communities and families together to help ignite the vital conversation about what it means to unconditionally love our LGBTQ+ youth.”
Reynolds’ efforts were highlighted by the 2018 HBO-produced documentary, “Believer,” which follows the musician’s mission to confront the Mormon Church over its discriminatory policies toward LGBTQ individuals while documenting the first LOVELOUD Festival in Orem, Utah. The film was nominated for a 2018 Emmy and won the Best Documentary prize at GLAAD’s 30th Annual Media Awards.
Reynolds, Glenn, and Carrera hosted a screening of the documentary in Washington in conjunction with their meetings with elected officials.
When Imagine Dragons took the Best Rock Artist Award at the 2019 Billboard Music Awards, Reynolds used his entire acceptance speech to speak up about the issue of conversion therapy and its harmful effect on LGBTQ youth.
“I just want to take this moment to say that there are 34 States that have no laws banning conversion therapy,” the rocker said. “And on top of that, 58 percent of our LGBTQ population live in those states. This can change, but it’s going to take all of us talking to our state legislators, pushing forward laws to protect our LGBTQ youth.”
The fourth annual Equality Prince William Pride was held at the Harris Pavilion in Manassas, Va. on Saturday, May 17.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
The Washington Blade held its 18th annual Summer Kickoff Party in Rehoboth Beach, Del., on Friday, May 16. Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer spoke along with State Sen. Russ Huxtable, CAMP Rehoboth Executive Director Kim Leisey, Blade Editor Kevin Naff, and Clear Space Theatre Managing Director Joe Gfaller. The event raises funds for the Steve Elkins Memorial Fellowship in Journalism, which was awarded to AU student Abigail Hatting.
(Washington Blade photos by Daniel Truitt)
In some fowl fiction foreshadowing, a gay-owned chicken joint has come home to roost on U Street, taking a page from the chicken window subplot on the HBO show “Looking.”
Last Friday, Lucky Pollo – much more than just a takeout window – stretched its wings atop the busy nightlife corner of 14th and U Streets NW.
Behind the poultry production place is Zach Renovátes, a D.C.-based nightlife operator and managing partner of LGBTQ venues Bunker and District Eagle, as well as the LGBTQ event production company KINETIC Presents.
Renovátes opened Bunker in February 2023 and District Eagle in January of this year. Lucky Pollo is the third in his growing gay empire, though this time there are noshes.
“Lucky Pollo was meant to be fun and a little provocative,” Renovátes said.
Based around its Peruvian-style rotisserie chicken, Lucky Pollo is a quick-service restaurant boasting a small menu of poultry and sides. Renovátes says that the dishes are deeply rooted in Peruvian culinary tradition, “a playful experience alongside seriously good food.”
Lucky Pollo’s signature chicken is steeped in a dozen-plus-spice marinade for 24 hours. The meat is then slow-roasted, rotisserie-style, over oak-wood charcoal. Chicken options include quarter, half, and whole.
Helming the kitchen at Lucky Pollo is Chef Luis Herrera, who brings Peruvian recipes passed down through three generations, including his grandmother Laura’s original creations.
Beyond the full bird, the menu features Peruvian-inspired sides like yuca fries (“I personally love these,” says Renovátes) and fried plantains, as well as comfort classics such as mac and cheese and mashed potatoes, and bowls, wraps, and salads. Herrera oversees development of the multiple sauces (including staff favorite, the “secret green sauce”), crafted in-house using traditional Peruvian ingredients.
Lucky Pollo, in its streetside perch, is an independent concept from District Eagle, open to the public and staying open late (3 a.m. on weekends) to serve both nightlife guests and the wider U Street crowd hungry for late-night bites. However, just beyond the kitchen, tucked in the back lies a vintage 1950s candy machine—labeled “Out of Order,” which serves as the door leading to subterranean District Eagle.
Renovátes notes that when District Eagle is open, security staff will maintain a strict two-line policy, ensuring that those seeking meat to eat will not get entwined with those looking to gain access to District Eagle.
Lucky Pollo unites the need for sustenance with the idea of a bit of fortune, given its motto, “Get Lucky” and the whimsical brand mascot: a leather-booted chicken perched on a horseshoe. Renovátes and his District Eagle business partner had always been interested in opening a restaurant, and the Lucky Pollo space was indeed lucky: It already came with a functional kitchen. Plus, he says, the nearby fast-casual places around 14th and U streets “don’t offer a lot of quality options,” so opening the chicken spot “was a no-brainer.”
The space, designed by NYC creative Jasin Cadic, blends theatrical street-art-style vibes with Keith Haring-inspired wall prints, neon signs, and ceiling-hung chicken figurines —”some edgy, some sweet,” says Renovátes —creating an immersive, playful atmosphere. Lucky Pollo and District Eagle maintain separate amenities for their respective customers.
Lucky Pollo opened last week with a competition to devour a whole rotisserie chicken in the fastest time, with the winner earning $1,000 and a framed spot on the restaurant’s “Wall of Fame.” The opening also featured other games and prizes, and a full crowd spilling out the door.
“We want it to be a great place to eat, but also serve as a playful front for something completely unexpected.” Renovátes says.
On weekends especially, he jokes, the motto will be, ‘Come for the chicken, stay for the cock.’”
D.C. Black Pride 2025: Events, parties, and empowerment
Cuban lawmakers to consider simplifying process for trans people to change IDs
Frank Kameny’s legacy lives on
Wes Moore signs HIV decriminalization bill
