North Carolina has been rightfully hammered by criticism since passing HB 2, which covers all kinds of backwards discrimination in regards to what bathroom transgender people can use, then violates the basic human rights of the LGBT community for good measure. They’re being protested everywhere, and are facing lawsuits from the ACLU and others.
Now Bruce Springsteen is canceling his concert that was scheduled for Sunday in Greensboro. He posted an open letter on Friday, assuring fans their money would be refunded. He writes:
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.
Some things are more important than a rock show. When The Boss says that, you know he’s serious.
Image via Getty.
Contact the author at aimee.lutkin@jezebel.com.