Reacting to the new Anti-LBGTQ law HB2 passed by North Carolina's legislature earlier this year, Pearl Jam has decided to cancel its show in Raleigh tomorrow on April 20.
In a statement posted on their website, via social media, the band explained why they decided to cancel the show late yesterday and just how disgusted they are with the law that most believe, especially in the business and entertainment communities, unfairly discriminates against gay and transgender individuals.
"The HB2 law that was recently passed is a despicable piece of legislation that encourages discrimination against an entire group of American citizens. The practical implications are expansive and its negative impact upon basic human rights is profound," writes Pearl Jam. "We want America to be a place where no one can be turned away from a business because of who they love or fired from their job for who they are.
Beyond the immediate implications of a canceled Pearl Jam concert, which in the grand scheme of things won't be much for the North Carolina economy, but the cumulative effect of these could be impactful on promoters in the state. Pearl Jam join other artists like Ringo Starr and Bruce Springsteen to cancel shows in the state.
Other acts have gone on the play shows, but under protest of the law, or have donated all profits from the show to local LBTGQ advocacy groups.
It will be an interesting balance since the rest of 2016 is mostly booked for a lot of these venues and surely more cancelations are in the cards unless the law is repealed, but for 2017, some promoters could have trouble attracting acts who don't want to perform in the state while HB2 is still in effect.
It's with deep consideration & much regret that we must cancel the Raleigh, NC show on 4/20: https://t.co/Z7I65UJmhP pic.twitter.com/P89wysiNFe
— Pearl Jam (@PearlJam) April 18, 2016
