Nick Jonas and
Demi Lovato are speaking out for what they believe in.
The pop stars
have canceled two North Carolina concerts over the state’s controversial HB2
bill, which critics say is prejudiced toward the LGBT community.
“After
much thought and deliberation, we have decided to cancel our Honda Civic Tour:
Future Now shows in Raleigh and Charlotte,” a statement posted to both
singers’ Instagram pages on Monday read. “One of our goals for the tour has
always been to create an atmosphere where every single attendee feels equal,
included, and accepted for who they are.”
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Nick and
Demi were scheduled to take the stage on June 30 and July 2.
Calling the
law, which was signed March 24, “discriminatory” and “extremely disappointing,”
their statement issued an apology but also said they “trust” their
fans “to stand united with us.”
The former Disney
stars are the latest in a series of musicians who have declined to perform in
the wake of the legislation, which requires
transgender people to use public restrooms that correspond with the biological
sex listed on their birth certificate.
As
previously reported on AccessHollywood.com, Bruce Springsteen announced on his
website earlier this month that he was canceling a scheduled show in North
Carolina for a reason he said serves a
larger purpose
“Some
things are more important than a rock show,” he wrote at the time,
explaining that all purchased tickets will be refunded. “And this fight
against prejudice and bigotry … is one of them.”
In addition,
Pearl Jam, Boston, Billy Ray Cyrus and Ringo Starr have all followed suit with
their own protests.
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Other stars
like Cyndi Lauper and Mumford and Sons, however, have kept their scheduled
North Carolina performance dates, but will donate the proceeds to charities committed
to fighting HB2.
— Erin Biglow
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