Ani DiFranco has canceled a performance
in Durham, North Carolina over a law she criticized as
discriminatory.
North Carolina's House Bill 2 was a
knee jerk reaction to passage of an LGBT protections bill in
Charlotte. Lawmakers approved and Governor Pat McCrory signed the
bill during a one-day special session. It repealed Charlotte's
ordinance and blocked other cities from enacting similar measures.
It also bars students attending public institutions from using the
bathroom that does not conform to their gender at birth.
“Today I stand arm in arm with my
community, friends, family and fellow citizens in condemning this
unjust law,” the Grammy-winning singer said.
DiFranco was scheduled to headline
Durham's Festival for the Eno on July 4. She said that she could not
“in good conscience” travel to North Carolina.
“When one of us is oppressed, all of
us are oppressed, and only through the strength of our collective
action will change occur,” she continued. “I wish to add my
voice through this small action to the chorus of all of those working
to make our world a more loving and accepting place.”
Bruce Springsteen and Ringo
Starr have taken similar stands.
(Related: Steven
Van Zandt: North Carolina cancellation about stopping spread of “evil
virus.”)