Pearl Jam are the latest band to cancel shows in North Carolina in response to the controversial anti-LGBT House Bill 2, calling off their show on the 20th of April show in Raleigh with only two days notice.
Posting a message explaining their decision to their website, the band joins the likes of Bruce Springsteen and Ringo Starr in boycotting the state, among many other artists and companies.
Calling the bill “a despicable piece of legislation that encourages discrimination against an entire group of American citizens,” the band also urged their fans to sign a petition in support of repealing the bill.
“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,” the band wrote.
“It is for this reason that we must take a stand against prejudice, along with other artists and businesses, and join those in North Carolina who are working to oppose HB2 and repair what is currently unacceptable.”
Full refunds are being offered to fans who already bought tickets with the band acknowledging the news “will be upsetting to those who have tickets.”
The announcement also follows Laura Jane Grace of Against Me!‘s decision to play a show in protest, rather than cancel one. A trans person herself Grace said she wanted to send the message “that despite whatever stupid laws they enact, trans people are not going to be scared. They are not going to go away.”
In case you missed the details in the many previous boycott stories, here is the low down on the bill:
It requires transgender people to use public restrooms matching the sex listed on their birth certificates.
It excludes LGBT people from state anti-discrimination protections. It blocks local governments from expanding LGBT protections. It bars all workplace discrimination lawsuits.
So pretty much it gives homophobes carte blanche to discriminate. Yay democracy!
You can read the full statement from Pearl Jam below.
