Bruce Springsteen was set to perform a show in Greensboro, North Carolina this Sunday, but has decided to cancel the concert as a result of a new law that was passed in the state this week.
The law Springsteen is fighting against is called House Bill 2, or as many are calling it, the “bathroom law”. It discriminates against the transgender community by forcing people to use the bathroom corresponding with the sex on their birth certificates, despite what they may identify as. Government officials claim the law was passed to stop males from attempting to enter female bathrooms.
Springsteen released a statement on his website explaining the situation and his reasoning for pulling himself from the performance. And while a cancelled show is always disappointing, most people seem to be siding with Mr. Springsteen at this time.
#BruceSpringsteen cancels North Carolina concert over discriminatory #LGBT laws. #HB2
This is why he's THE boss!!?? pic.twitter.com/kIAf6YA66X— Prossy Kakooza (She/Her) (@Pkakooza) April 9, 2016
A North Carolina congressman, Mark Walker, came forward to comment on the situation, calling Springsteen a bully because of his actions. He compared the cancellation of his show to a grade school child taking his ball home so no one else can play with it.
Springsteen isn’t the only person in Hollywood taking a stand against the law. Lionsgate moved production of their upcoming Hulu pilot from it’s location in North Carolina to a new one in Canada. A large number of well known corporations are also speaking out against House Bill 2, including Google, American Airlines, and PayPal.
Springsteen knows that it’s unfair to punish an entire state for their lawmakers actions, but as he said in his statement, “some things are just more important than a rock show.”
Springsteen apologized to his fans and is offering refunds for those who purchased tickets. He also took to facebook, urging his fans to contact lawmakers and join him in opposition of the bill.
Do you support Springsteen on his decision to cancel his show? Let us know in the comments or send us a tweet at @CelebMix.