Ringo Starr seems to be following in Bruce Springsteen’s footsteps and taking a stand against North Carolina’s controversial “bathroom bill” by canceling his upcoming show there.
Starr was set to perform in Cary, North Carolina on June 18th at the Koka Booth Amphitheater, but the Beatle’s drummer has made the decision to call off the show. This move was a response to North Carolina’s HB2, also known as the Public Facilities Privacy and Security Act. This law states that if a transgendered individual has not taken the legal and surgical steps to change their sex, they must use the bathroom that coordinates with the gender on their birth certificate, despite what they might identify as. Starr released a statement, along with an apology.
“I’m sorry to disappoint my fans in the area, but we need to take a stand against this hatred. Spread peace and love. How sad that they feel that this group of people cannot be defended.”
The bill also limits the amount of protection from discriminatory treatment that those of the LGBTQ community face in the workplace. Starr is pushing for his fans to take a stand and help him to fight against the bill.
Starr isn’t the only artist pulling out of performances in a way of showing support and taking a stand. Bruce Springsteen was the first, canceling a show he was set to play this past weekend in Greensboro, North Carolina. Bryann Adams also canceled a show in the state of Mississippi, where a law similar to HB2 was recently passed.
Large corporations are joining these artists in taking a stand, as well. PayPal has changed their plan of a multimillion dollar expansion that would being hundreds of new jobs into the state, and companies like Apple and Facebook have signed a petition denouncing the bill.
What do you think of these artists canceling their shows? Is it the right move? Let us know in the comments or tweet us at @CelebMix.