Neon Trees lead singer Tyler Glenn comes out as gay

The lead singer of the Utah-based band Neon Trees, Tyler Glenn, has come out of the closet as gay in a Rolling Stone article.

In the article, Glenn, who has been a lifelong Mormon, discusses his experience of being torn between dating girls but having crushes on and falling in love with guys.

He began coming out to family and friends in October last year as he was completing songs for the band's third album, Pop Psychology. Many of the songs are about his experiences of being in the closet.

He also says that he drew inspiration from the slowly increasing number of professional sports figures coming out, such as pro football player Michael Sam.

The band's first single "Animal" rose to number 13 on the U.S. charts, number 1 on the U.S. alternative charts, and number 29 in Canada.  

Their 2011 song "Everybody Talks" was their highest performing single in the U.S., reaching number 6.