Nick Jonas, Demi Lovato Cancel North Carolina Concerts Over Anti-LGBT Bill
“North Carolina’s discriminatory HB2 law is extremely disappointing,” singers said in a statement to GLAAD
Matt Donnelly | April 25, 2016 @ 2:16 PM
Last Updated: April 25, 2016 @ 4:21 PM
Singers Nick Jonas and Demi Lovato have canceled two scheduled concerts in North Carolina over state legislation that critics view as anti-LGBT.
“After much thought and deliberation, Nick and I have decided to cancel our shows in Raleigh and Charlotte,” Lovato said in a statement to GLAAD on Monday. “One of our goals … has always been to create an atmosphere where every single attendee feels equal, included, and accepted for who they are.”
The singers, traveling the country for Honda Civic’s “Future Now” tour, were slated to appear in North Carolina cities Charlotte and Raleigh on June 30 and July 2.
Lovato and Jonas are the latest entertainers forced to address the question of performing in North Carolina after the state passed a bill known as the Public Facilities Privacy & Security Act.
The law prohibits transgender people from using public restrooms that fit their gender identity and eliminated local protections for gay and transgender people.
GLAAD president Sarah Kate Ellis applauded the decision, saying the pair “continue to be fearless advocates for LGBT equality and acceptance. By taking a firm stand against North Carolina’s discriminatory HB2 law, they’re sending a clear message to fans and lawmakers alike: hate should never be tolerated.”
Read the full statement GLAAD:
After much thought and deliberation, Nick and I have decided to cancel our shows in Raleigh and Charlotte. One of our goals for the Honda Civic Tour: Future Now has always been to create an atmosphere where every single attendee feels equal, included, and accepted for who they are.
North Carolina’s discriminatory HB2 law is extremely disappointing, and it takes away some of the LGBT community’s most basic rights and protections. But we will not allow this to stop us from continuing to make progress for equality and acceptance.
We know the cancelation of these shows is disappointing to our fans, but we trust that you will stand united with us against this hateful law.
#RepealHB2
HB2: Who's Boycotting North Carolina, From Demi Lovato to Pearl Jam (Photos)
We're keeping a running count of everyone who's pulling up stakes in North Carolina to protest House Bill 2, which, among other things, says people can only use public bathrooms corresponding to heir "biological sex." Here's our complete list.
Pearl Jam cancelled their April 20 show in Raleigh via a handwritten note in which they called HB2 "a despicable piece of legislation"
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Ringo Starr scrapped a show in Cary scheduled in June. "All you need is love," he said.
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Bruce Springsteen cancelled a show in Greensboro, causing a N.C. congressman to call him a "bully."
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Bryan Adams is doubling down on the boycotts, cancelling shows in both North Carolina and Mississippi in protest of anti-LGBT laws.
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Boston won't be playing "Peace of Mind" or "More Than A Feeling" in North Carolina, cancelling the three shows they had in the state during their summer tour.
Cirque Du Soleil had planned multiple shows throughout North Carolina from April-July, but has now cancelled all of them.
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On April 5, Paypal scuttled plans to invest $3.6 million into expanding operations in North Carolina. That investment included an operations center that would have created 400 jobs.
On April 12, Deutsche Bank froze plans to add 250 jobs to its technology center in Cary.
Even porn sites are joining in on the protest. XHamster announced it would IP block any users trying to access the site from North Carolina.
Instead of cancelling his stand-up show in Durham, Joel McHale announced that he would donate all the proceeds from the show to LGBT centers in the state.
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LGBT advocate Cyndi Lauper has a similar plan. She announced that her July 4 show in Raleigh would become a rally to repeal HB2, and that the proceeds would go to organizations that would continue to protest the law.
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Lionsgate abandoned a plan to film a comedy pilot for Hulu in North Carolina, costing the state 100 jobs. The pilot is now being filmed in Vancouver.
The United Kingdom has issued travel warnings to its LGBT citizens about North Carolina's laws.
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Blue Man Group joined the boycott on Apr. 23, cancelling a set of three June shows in Charlotte.
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NBA Commissioner Adam Silver says that the league may move its 2017 All-Star Game out of Charlotte if HB2 is not repealed.
On Apr. 28, NCAA announced that all hosts for their events, including North Carolina cities hosting future NCAA basketball tournament games, must prove their sites will be free of discrimination.
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We’re keeping a running count of everyone who’s pulling up stakes in North Carolina to protest anti-LGBT discrimination
We're keeping a running count of everyone who's pulling up stakes in North Carolina to protest House Bill 2, which, among other things, says people can only use public bathrooms corresponding to heir "biological sex." Here's our complete list.