Ringo Starr
Ringo Starr has joined Bruce Springsteen in boycotting the state of North Carolina over recent LGBT legislation.
The government in Charlotte recently passed an ordinance that loosened the gender identification of transsexual people as far as public facilities were concerned. The state of North Carolina overrode the ordinance passing one that applied statewide that limited use of facilities to the gender listed on a person’s birth certificate.
Springsteen was first out of the box, cancelling a Charlotte appearance and, now, Ringo Starr has followed suit, saying “I’m sorry to disappoint my fans in the area, but we need to take a stand against this hatred. Spread peace and love.”
Starr and Springsteen are the two main artists who have outright cancelled appearances in the state while a number of others have sympathized with the issue but have decided to keep their appearances.
Gregg Allman posted:
For over 45 years, I’ve been fortunate to play music all around this country and the world. I’ve been honored to know and be friends with many different people from all walks of life. Although we, as a nation, have made progress in many areas, it’s sad and infuriating that some, in 2016, are still working so hard to take the rights away from our brothers and sisters, as in the cases of “bathroom laws” recently passed in North Carolina (HB2 – Public Facilities Privacy and Security Act) and Mississippi (“Religious Liberty” bill 1523), discriminating against the LGBT community.
I know that North Carolina is a state full of good folks and loyal fans, many of whom are angry about and feel misrepresented by this action. My band and I will continue to play our show as scheduled there tomorrow, April 13, and hope that our music unites people in this challenging time. We stand in solidarity with the LGBT community urging Gov. McCrory to listen to the people and reverse this wrong. – Gregg Allman
Jimmy Buffett said:
North Carolina was there for me as a performer in the early days and I have always felt a loyalty to fans there that goes deep. Rightly so, a lot of people are reacting to the stupid law. I happen to believe that the majority of our fans in North Carolina feel the way I do about that law. I am lucky enough to have found a job in the business of fun. These shows were booked and sold out long before the governor signed that stupid law. I am not going to let stupidity or bigotry trump fun for my loyal fans this year. We will be playing in Raleigh and Charlotte next week.
Brandi Carlile:
As I’m crossing over the state line into the beautiful state of Massachusetts where I was legally married to my wife four years ago- I’m contemplating Bruce Springsteen and North Carolina- everywhere I’ve gone I’m being asked if I plan to cancel my shows. I should start by saying that I want to be Bruce Springsteen when I grow up. Bruce has decided on principal not to go through with his concert because of thinly veiled legislation having been passed that permits the discrimination of my LGBTQ brothers and sisters in NC. I deeply appreciate this, and I want to say on my own behalf thank you for doing what you’re doing guys. These are massive shows and this is big business lost for NC- Bruce is not LGBTQ himself- but is bravely defending those of us that are. This is how we’ve seen the progress that we’ve seen. As artists it’s our responsibility to take cause against those who would oppress our brothers and sisters and defend them using whatever power we possess. Bruce is an artist, but on behalf of NC LGBTQ citizens, also is poignantly depriving NC of the big business his event would bring- well done.
For very different reasons I have decided not to cancel my North Carolina shows.
I’m a small artist, and I’m gay, many of my fans are gay as well.
To cancel my shows in NC would further oppress my fans who are hurt by this legislation, who worked hard to suppress it, and who need a place where they can come together. That’s why we intend to be in Wilkesboro, Charlotte, Asheville, and Greensboro this summer. We’re going to come together, let our voices be heard, not stand down, and make a joyful noise in the face of this insult of a law.
We all have a role to play here. Bruce is playing his beautifully and I respect him. In my own humble way though, I want to witness the protest through music.