Just as the LBGTQ movement has made strides for equality with the landmark Supreme Court case last year making marriage legal in all 50 states, many states have enacted "religious liberty" laws that roll back civil and employment protections for LBGTQ individuals and allow businesses to not serve customers if it offends their religious beliefs. North Carolina just passed House Bill 2, arguably the strong of these types of bills in the entire United States and it has been denounced by business leaders, the NBA and now Moogfest, which takes place in Durham.
In a statement, Moogfest made is clear they are "proud" of its home in Durham and its heritage in Ashville, "but adamantly oppose this law, and any laws that enable or encourage exclusion and bigotry.
"Moogfest is dedicated to the legacy of Bob Moog, an engineer who partnered with artists to create new technological tools for creative expression. It was Bob's lifelong belief that true innovation comes through collaboration, not exclusion," write the festival. "Moogfest offers an inclusive environment where all people come together to explore big ideas for the future. We value diversity, self-expression and experimentation above all else. This discriminatory law not only runs counter to the basic principles of equality, fairness, and justice - it is a direct affront to our principled mission."
Moogfest will have spaces to discuss the issues and says it will take every step to create an open an inclusive environment for festival-goers, especially the many LBGTQ artists and speakers this year.
"We invite all fans of Moogfest to join us. We are standing our ground in North Carolina, and will use every opportunity to protest this law - on the stage, in the streets, and on social media," it finishes.
The North Carolina bill has already passed, unlike a similar Georgia law, which was just vetoed by its Governor Nathan Deal after intense pressure by business and community leaders.
The NBA has already acted by taking away the 2017 All-Star game from Charlotte.
The bill becomes the law of the state, overturning any local ordinances. It forces students in state schools to use the bathroom that corresponds to their birth certificate. Many major corporations with headquarters in the state such as Paypal, Bank Of America and Dow Chemical have denounced the law.
Moogfest will take place May 19-22.
