Don’t worry, citizens of North Carolina; the bigotry of your elected officials won’t get in the way of enjoying the masked metal mayhem of Slipknot.
Slipknot frontman Corey Taylor and his bandmates took to their blog to condemn North Carolina’s anti-LGBT law HB2.
But while the band said that the law “flies in the face of” the values it upholds, Slipknot noted that the group will carry on with a scheduled performance Tuesday at the PNC Music Pavilion in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The band’s members admitted that they “had reservations abut playing” in the state because of the law, but noted that their fans in North Carolina “deserve better.”
“We believe that regardless of who you are, or who you love, you shouldn’t have to face hatred at home or in your community,” the band wrote. “Our fans in North Carolina deserve better, so we decided not to cancel. We don’t care where you pee — just please flush. It’s pretty simple, really.”
Slipknot has, however, partnered with advocacy group Equality NC for the show, to encourage fans to vote and get involved with the fight for equality.
“You can talk to Equality NC at our show about how to get involved, and get registered to vote in NC. That way we won’t have to talk about this the next time we come back there,” the group said. “We’re coming to North Carolina to show our fans that they can make the difference needed to repeal this law and return their state to a place that welcomes everyone and values differences.”
The HB2 law has been met with criticism by a mass of musical artists, some of whom have decided to cancel scheduled concerts there. Artists including Ringo Starr, Nick Jonas, Demi Lovato, Pearl Jam and Boston have pulled out of performances in the state as a result of the law.
Meanwhile, in July, the NBA pulled its 2017 All-Star Game out of the state in response to the legislation.