As you might’ve heard, the whole world is pretty mad at North Carolina right about now. The legislature pushed through a sneaky, evil bill that makes life worse for just about everyone: trans people aren’t allowed to use the bathroom that matches their gender; cities aren’t allowed to protect LGBTs from discrimination; minimum wages cut; fired workers now have fewer protections.
And North Carolina is hardly the only state with legislation like this — not by a long shot. Similar bills have been passed or are under consideration all over the country. (Here’s a little background on why homophobes are pushing them now, another on how to spot these bills even when they’re camouflaged as religious liberty, and another about how to stop them.)
If this was happening a decade or two ago, most of the country would probably respond with a shrug, or maybe a “ew, gross, gay people.” But times have changed, even if North Carolina’s lawmakers haven’t. LGBTQs now have way more allies in the business and entertainment world than antigay activists can even imagine having.
Here’s a list of celebs standing against the state (beyond just sending a press release, which does little to nothing)…
1. Bruce Springsteen
“Some things are more important than a rock show, and this fight against prejudice and bigotry — which is happening as I write — is one of them,” he said.
2. Ringo Starr
“I’m sorry to disappoint my fans in the area, but we need to take a stand against this hatred.”
3. Bryan Adams
Canceled a concert in Mississippi, which passed a similar bill. “Hopefully Mississippi will right itself and I can come back and to perform to all of my many fans.”
4. Sharon Stone
Canceled plans to film a movie in Mississippi.
5. Michael Moore
Tweeted: “I have asked my distributor NOT to book my film in any theater in North Carolina due 2 their bigoted law against LGBTQ ppl. They have agreed”
6. 95 prominent Mississippi authors
Among them are John Grisham, Donna Tartt, US poet laureate Natasha Tretheway, National Book Award winner Jesmyn Ward, Pulitzer prize winner Donna Tartt, and Kathryn Stockett, author of The Help.
7. Jimmy Buffett
“As for the future of shows in North Carolina, it would definitely depend on whether that stupid law is repealed.”
8. Stephen Schwartz
Composer of Wicked. “I feel that it is very important that any state that passes such a law suffer economic and cultural consequences, partly because it is deserved and partly to discourage others from following suit.”
9. Hulu
Canceled shooting of a new comedy and sent the production to Canada instead.
10. XHamster
A porn site cutting access for North Carolina users. “I think that porn has the power to do what Bruce Springsteen can’t,” said a spokesman.
Others took a different tact or are in the wait-and-see category…
Cyndi Lauper
Going ahead with a concert in Raleigh, but: “I will be donating all of the profits from the show to Equality North Carolina’s efforts to repeal HB2 and I am proud of my manager and agent for joining me in this effort by donating their commissions from the show to this vital effort.”
National Basketball Association
They “do not yet know what impact it will have on our ability to successfully host the 2017 All-Star Game in Charlotte.”
Other performers are scheduled to perform in North Carolina over the next few months…
Here’s a list:
Alabama Shakes
Aretha Franklin
Ben Harper
Beyoncé
Brad Paisley
Brandi Carlisle
Brian Wilson
Carrie Underwood
Chris Isaak
Chris Stapleton
Dave Mathews
Death Cab for Cutie
Dierks Bentley
Dixie Chicks
Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros
Ellie Goulding
Goo Goo Dolls
Greg Allman
Haim
Heart
Jackson Browne
Jimmy Buffett
Joan Jett
Josh Ritter
Journey
Justin Bieber
Keith Urban
Kenny Chesney
Lake Street Dive
Leon Bridges
Los Lobos
Lucius
Luke Bryan
Maroon 5
Modest Mouse
Mumford & Sons
Pearl Jam
Peter Frampton
Ray LaMontagne
Selena Gomez
Smashing Pumpkins
Snoop Dog
Steely Dan
Steve Miller
Stevie Winwood
Styx
Tedeschi Trucks Band
The Cure
The Doobie Brothers
Toby Keith
Tony Keith
Willie Nelson
Wiz Khalifa
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