Rock group Boston is the latest in what is becoming an increasingly long line of artists who are canceling shows in North Carolina protesting the recent anti-LBGTQ law, HB2. The bill was passed in February by the North Carolina legislature and signed into law by Governor Pat McCrory and since then business leaders from the likes of Paypal and members of the entertainment community such as Mumford & Sons, Pearl Jam and the NBA have all spoken out or taken action against the law.
Guitarist Tom Scholz announced the group's decision on Facebook to cancel their shows on May 4, 5 and 6 in Charlotte, Greensboro and Raleigh respectively.
While the enjoyment of our fans is our central concern, and we have been looking forward to celebrating forty years of history performing for our listeners in North Carolina with spectacular live shows this spring, human rights are more important," writes Scholz.
"HB2 has the appearance of an oppressive discriminatory law against a small minority, who already have to deal with a narrow-minded world regarding issues beyond their control which they did nothing to bring upon themselves," says the guitarist explaining their decision. "Other aspects of the new law arguably encourage bigotry. With thousands of fans in attendance at our shows, it is likely that some members of our audience and/or their loved ones are affected on a daily basis by this ugly expression of intolerance."
As previously stated, the immediate effect of these cancellations may not have a dramatic impact on the North Carolina economy, but going forward it could impact the ability to book artists who don't want to be seen as condoning this law. Also these cancellations could be seen as just enough of a nuisance for fans they start to pressure their legislature to get rid of the law since their entertainment is being taken away.
