No music in North Carolina

"I'm sorry to disappoint my fans in the area, but we need to take a stand against this hatred."
Ringo Starr

"As you, my fans, know I’m scheduled to play in Greensboro, North Carolina this Sunday. As we also know, North Carolina has just passed HB2, which the media are referring to as the “bathroom” law. HB2 — known officially as the Public Facilities Privacy and Security Act — dictates which bathrooms transgender people are permitted to use. Just as important, the law also attacks the rights of LGBT citizens to sue when their human rights are violated in the workplace. No other group of North Carolinians faces such a burden. 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."  Bruce Springsteen

This April, Bruce Springsteen announced that he would cancel his show in North Carolina (Greensboro) as a protest of the state's decision to overturn LGBT-discrimination bans. Bryan Adams cancelled his show in Mississippi (Biloxi) because of the state's so-called religious freedom law that allows businesses to refuse service to same-sex couples (via). Westin, Charlotte's largest hotel, has turned one bathroom into an "any gender bathroom" and added an "Always Welcome" banner on its facade in response to the law (via). Companies such as PayPal and Deutsche Bank reacted quickly and announced plans to freeze job expansions (via); PayPal would have employed 400 people in the new facility in Charlotte (via), Deutsche Bank 250 (via). And now Ringo Starr has cancelled his show in North Carolina (Cary) to take a stand against the anti-LGBT law (via).

"I will be donating all of the profits from the show to Equality North Carolina's efforts to repeal HB2 and I am proud of my manager and agent for joining me in this effort by donating their commissions from the show to this vital effort. I look forward to coming to North Carolina and standing up for equality and fairness. If we truly want an inclusive society, we all have to include ourselves in the effort to make that happen. This is the best way I know how to include myself and urge you to join me in the best way you know how."
Cyndi Lauper

"With respect to the current storm which is howling through this State, we considered cancelling our show on Saturday, but decided to go ahead, both for the sake of our fans and to support those in North Carolina who feel as strongly as we do about this issue. We see this as an opportunity to make the following statement.
Yes here it is again, just plain old fashioned prejudice, fear and oppression, the same old kind that’s blighted the human race, in varying degrees, for all of its history. Duran Duran is opposed to bigotry and discrimination in all of its ugly forms, and so it follows that we are opposed to the basic premise of HB2. We support the rights of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender community, to have equal opportunities. We support their rights to live free, happy, fulfilled lives. If you live in this State and feel the same way, we urge you to register, so that you can vote; so that your voice can be heard. We urge you to sign this petition which will be presented at the General Assembly meeting on April 25th in North Carolina. You have the power to repeal this outdated and cruel legislation."  
Duran Duran

Not music but university ... Here the message from University North Carolina Chapel Hill: Update on House Bill 2

"All that Carolina has worked hard to establish over the decades – policies including protections for sexual orientation and gender identity, and fostering a culture of acceptance, respect for one another and human dignity above all else – remain a fundamental cornerstone of what our University aspires to be."

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Update 19 April 2016:

The 40-year-old band Boston cancelled its concert in North Carolina in protest of HB2 (via), Pearl Jam cancelled their show in North Carolina calling the law "a despicable piece of legislation that encourages discrimination against an entire group of American citizens" (via), Cirque du Soleil cancelled its shows in North Carolina saying that the company strongly believed in diversity and equality and that it opposed to every kind of discrimination (via), and on the red carpet of the Tribeca Film Festival, Jane Fonda said she would not go to North Carolina (via).

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photograph via