Ringo Starr is the latest musician to cancel a show in North Carolina in response to the state's passage of a controversial anti-LGBT law.
"I'm sorry to disappoint my fans in the area, but
we need to take a stand against this hatred," Starr said in a statement
on Wednesday. "Spread peace and love."
The Beatles drummer was scheduled to perform at the Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary, North Carolina, on June 18.
The bill, also known as HB2, mandates that people
in the state use public bathrooms or changing facilities based on the
"biological sex" stated on their birth certificates, barring transgender
citizens from using the bathroom that corresponds with their
identifying gender. HB2 also tied the hands of local municipalities by
barring them from creating laws which might prohibit discrimination in
public places based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
"How sad that they feel that this group of people cannot be defended," Starr continued.
Meanwhile, Cyndi Lauper, who has an upcoming
concert in Raleigh, told ET that she plans to turn the show into an
event "to build public support to repeal HB2."
"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," she said in a
statement. "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."
This comes after Bruce Springsteen announced last week that he was canceling an upcoming concert in North Carolina.
Joel McHale considered canceling his appearance in
North Carolina as well, but instead used it as a platform to encourage
change.
"What the f**k is wrong with your government here,
guys?" McHale asked the audience at the Durham Performing Arts Center
on Friday.
The Community star pledged to "donate every single dime I make tonight" to the LGBTQ Center of Durham.
Likewise, Bryan Adams spoke out against
Mississippi's anti-LGBT Religious Liberty bill 1523 earlier this week,
refusing to perform there unless the bill is repealed.
Ellen DeGeneres also spoke out against the bill on her show, saying,
"I'm not a political person. I'm really not, but this is not politics.
This is human rights."
The state's House Bill 1523 will take effect in
July and allow businesses, individuals and religious organizations in
Mississippi to deny service to LGBT individuals, single mothers and any
others who offend their "sincerely held religious belief."
"That is the definition of discrimination,"
DeGeneres explained. "It is also something that the Supreme Court
already ruled on when they made marriage a right for everyone."
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