After North Carolina passed House Bill No. 2 -- a bill that many gay and lesbian leaders claim violates their civil rights -- rock musician Bruce Springsteen announced Friday he is canceling a concert scheduled for Sunday in Greensboro, N.C.
The bill, which was enacted last week by the state's GOP led legislature and governor's office, reverses local ordinances which extend protections to the LGBT community. Part of the bill mandates that public buildings cannot make special bathroom accommodations for LGBT people.
Springsteen released a statement explaining his decision.
" the law also attacks the rights of LGBT citizens to sue when their human rights are violated in the workplace. No other group of North Carolinians faces such a burden. To my mind, it’s an attempt by people who cannot stand the progress our country has made in recognizing the human rights of all of our citizens to overturn that progress," he said in a statement.
Springsteen said that people with tickets to this weekend's show can receive full refunds.
"With deepest apologies to our dedicated fans in Greensboro, we have canceled our show scheduled for Sunday, April 10th. Some things are more important than a rock show and this fight against prejudice and bigotry — which is happening as I write — is one of them. It is the strongest means I have for raising my voice in opposition to those who continue to push us backwards instead of forwards," Springsteen said.
Springsteen's stance is one that other businesses and entertainers are considering. Earlier this week, former NBA star Charles Barkley encouraged the NBA to move next year's All-Star Game. Also, the NCAA said it is 'monitoring the situation' as it has tournament games scheduled in North Carolina in upcoming years.
Justin Boggs is a writer for the E.W. Scripps National Desk. Follow him on Twitter @jjboggs or on Facebook.
