Bruce Springsteen said Friday that he
was canceling a weekend show in Greensboro, North Carolina to show
solidarity with those protesting a recently approved law that targets
the LGBT community.
House Bill 2, approved last month
during a one-day special session, blocks cities from enacting
ordinances that prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation
or gender identity and bars students attending public institutions
from using the bathroom that does not conform to their gender at
birth.
“No other group of North Carolinians
faces such a burden,” Springsteen said in a statement. “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.”
“Right now, there are many groups,
businesses, and individuals in North Carolina working to oppose and
overcome these negative developments. Taking all of this into
account, I feel that this is a time for me and the band to show
solidarity for those freedom fighters. As a result, and 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,” he added.
According to the National Conference of
State Legislatures, more than a dozen states this legislative session
have considered legislation that would restrict bathroom access for
transgender people.