Bruce Springsteen Cancelled North Carolina Concert Over State’s Anti-LGBT Law

April 14th, 2016

Awake Goy

“The Boss”, Bruce Springsteen, cancelled concert to protest N.C. anti-LGBT law.

North Carolina’s Public Facilities, Privacy and Security Act passed through the state’s general assembly and was signed into law in one day. Many critics of the law claim it legalizes discrimination against the LGBT community. Bruce Springsteen, “the Boss”, agrees and cancelled a concert because he and the E Street Band wanted to protest the law.

One part of the law enumerates classes of people who are protected against discrimination. They are race, religion, color, national origin, handicap and biological sex as designated on a person’s birth certificate. The law has been called the “bathroom law” because it requires all public institutions to post signs designating that bathrooms and locker rooms are to be used based only on biological sex. Thus, gay and transgender people are forced to use bathrooms that differ from their gender identity. Activists feel this action may put LGBT people at risk for violence.

Another part of the bill prohibits any city or county from enacting new anti-discrimination laws. The City of Charlotte outlawed LGBT discrimination earlier in the year. That law is now preempted by the new state law.

The mayor of Charlotte says the new law “is literally the most anti-LGBT legislation in the country.” Three people have filed a federal lawsuit against the Law. Springsteen said he and the band “wanted to show solidarity with those freedom fighters.”

Others have expressed dissatisfaction with the law. Major businesses, among them Bank of America and American Airlines, have condemned the law. Pay Pal cancelled plans to open a new operation center in Charlotte that would have employed more than 400 people. In a statement, Springsteen said, “[this law] is 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.”

Springsteen apologized for the cancellation. In the statement he also said, “Some things are more important than a rock show and this fight against prejudice and bigotry …is one of them”. All ticketholders can get a full refund.