It’s been over a month since North Carolina passed a bigoted, unenforceable (thankfully) anti-LGBT law declaring that people must use the bathroom that aligns with the gender on their birth certificates. Nevermind that trans people are being victimized and murdered at statistically alarming rates and need greater protections than the general public. Democratic lawmakers in the state introduced legislation on Monday to repeal the law, which will potentially cost North Carolina millions if not billions in lost revenue from tourism, sporting events, large corporations and entertainment. Some of the most headline-generating boycotts include artists who pull out of concerts in North Carolina in protest. We just saw Bruce Springsteen refuse to play NC earlier this month and now Demi Lovato and Nick Jonas, currently on tour together, have canceled shows in Raleigh and Charlotte. They issued a thoughtful statement outlining their reasoning:
Demi Lovato and Nick Jonas are taking a stand against North Carolina’s Anti-LGBT legislation.
Two months before their Honda Civic Tour kicks off, the singers announced that they would be cancelling two shows in the state.
“After much thought and deliberation, we have decided to cancel our Honda Civic Tour: Future Now shows in Raleigh and Charlotte,” the performers shared on social media. “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.”
The pair continued, “North Carolina’s discriminatory HB2 law is extremely disappointing, and it takes away some of the LGBT community’s most basic rights and protections. But we will not allow this to stop us from continuing to make progress for equality and acceptance…
“We know the cancellation of these shows is disappointing to our fans,” the statement concluded. “But we trust that you will stand united with us against this hateful law.”
Demi isn’t my favorite person but I do admire her activism on behalf of the LGBT community. Nick has also been an outspoken proponent of gay rights and I think that this was absolutely the right thing to do. Alternately, Demi and Nick could have donated their proceeds to LGBT causes (Joel McHale did this) but I think on a tour of this magnitude with so many players that might have been complicated. Hopefully this backwards, prejudiced law will get repealed soon.
photos credit: Getty and FameFlynet
However celebs choose to protest by cancellation or donation I’m okay with. At least they are taking a stand. It sucks for fans but sometimes the best protest is hitting them where it hurts…the wallet
Honestly I think cancellations are the way to go. It’s easy to ignore voices of dissent– people insulate themselves from opposing views all the time– but here they are taking away something. Boycotts are a more tangible consequence. It’s the same reason workers go on strike.
I trully think boycott is the good way to protest, it’s radical and it’s not one of those non-controversy take like statements.
Good. I know that some people on here with very good intentions believe these boycotts are wrong because they punish people economically who didn’t have anything to do with the passing of this law, but I have always thought it was the only way to get that bone headed govenor’s attention, and it’s working. This legalized discrimination MUST be stopped, right here, right now.
This kind of discrimination toward tax paying citizens really shocks me, how a segment of the population can be subject to such a ridiculous and backwards law in this, the 21st century. Hitting these narrow minded, backwards politicians in the pocketbook is the only way to repeal the law. They must be hit harder because so far they are refusing to budge. Surely there are more important things to worry about than treating men and women of your state in such a shameful manner.
(I was disappointed at the performers who decided to play in NC anyway).
It’s a shame that it punishes people economically – BUT I think that’s the quickest way to get anything done. People are going to be PISSED that job opportunities are being lost. They’re going to start pointing fingers at the people running the show.
It’s sad that money talks much more loudly than human rights – but whatever works.
That’s exactly how I feel, it’s sad that’s the only way to get things done, but it will work, especially if people stick with it.
I appreciate people like McHale raising awareness and donating funds too.
It sucks they are being punished economically, but its not for the law the governor put through. its for allowing morons to run their state. Donald trump fans should take notice…
Not all of us voted for that particular moron, by the way. Thanks though.
I don’t know how this is legal, to create a specific discrimination law. I thought that North Carolina was more progressive than this, although I am not current with local politics there, as I live in NY.
Maybe someone local could chime in again.
Eh. North Carolina is still the south, and we still have a loooooot of work to do down here. Don’t get me wrong, as a southerner I know some beautiful, open-minded, accepting souls down here, but… I also just saw a car driving around with a full-sized confederate flag attached to the back yesterday. One older man who came into my workplace recently and found out I was in college told me “my major must be boys” and that he heard a lot of my psychology professors were “atheists” (he said it like you or I would say “rapists”) just because they think progressively. My own parents, whom I love with all my heart, are still very backwards on some race, LGBT, and gender issues. We have a lot of work to do down here. A good friend of mine just moved to Colorado and apparently it’s like being in a different country. I need to live somewhere else for a while, I think.
Religion seems to make people close minded, backwards thinking and less accepting of others. Shouldn’t it be doing the opposite and make them love their fellow man? Right.
Shambles I agree with you on everything. I just to live in SF for the longest time till I moved to NC to be closer to my family, & let me tell you that the difference from one to the other was 99.9%. I mean for one the confederate flag I was so offended by that one & my sister said that it’s normal & that people here have it everywhere. Not everyone here is super conservative but most of them are, including some family members. I think I was so shocked to talk to them about politics & finding out that their views were so backwards. I don’t think they realize what they are saying is offensive because no one tells them that it is. To me the boycotting is great sure it affects so many things here but people need to have a wake up call.
I am not from North Carolina, but I am from Texas, so I have a feeling I can explain a little. Extreme conservative Republican legislatures have gerrymandered our districts to minimize the number of Democrats that can be elected, and dilute the progressive vote. At the same time, a small set of extreme conservatives are able to control the Republican primaries and conventions. The effect is that the winner of the Republican primary wins the office. Republican politicians then pander to that extreme, and you get results like this, and Democrats can do very little to stop it or change it, despite there being a large number of them in the State. It is beyond frustrating, because we can’t even “vote them out.”
That is why progressives and Dems have tried to accomplish goals at the city level, only to have State governments pass legislation nullifying local ordinances they do not like (as happened in Charlott, NC).
So, in short, NC is probably a more progressive state than this legislation, just like Texas by and large is a much more progressive state (especially in the major cities) than our politicians would have the outside world believe. But the political reality is such that the progressive voters have very little power in state politics.
Excellent analysis. You’ve hit the nail on the head.
Thank you for this explanation. I cannot imagine how infuriating that must be.
Great explanation
-Another progressive Texan
Super comment. Thanks. And while I’m not a fan of either I applaud their action.
I have lived here (NC) my whole life and have never seen a trans person. From what I’ve heard the general negative reaction was more so about straight men using this new law to take advantage of women. I think that’s more of the though process. Yes this is the south, where most people are conservative in religious and political views, but I think not passing the law was more for the women than the maybe 50 (if that) or so trans people in nc.
The funny thing is…you probably have, and didn’t know. The way trans gets talked about by supporters of HB2 makes it sound like gangs of aggressive shrieking drag queens are descending on bathrooms.
Most (not all, and not all the time) transmen and transwomen present as…normal. T shirt and jeans normal. Im trying out a new lipstick color normal. What are we having for dinner this week normal.
Also, I do not want anyone to forget that the bill ALSO prohibits any municipality in NC from raising minimum wage, and THAT is a very bad precedent.
HollyG exactly this.
I know a transgender, yogi, Methodist pastor, and I truly believe we need more people like them in this world.
The issue with that thinking is that a sign on the bathroom door isn’t stopping a straight man from using the ladies room. There’s no special magical power that will stop the perverts. And there’s already the danger of creeps preying on little boys as well. Be wary when you use the bathroom – end of story. But if changing the legislation can protect trans people, I’m 100% behind that. There’s a hell of a lot more risk of them getting harmed than the inflated bullshit fear-mongering of this somehow endangering our daughters.
I think her point is not that this bill doesn’t discriminate against transgendered people (it does), but rather that the majority of people who support the bill aren’t doing so for that purpose. The majority of people that support the bill are concerned about straight male (not transgendered people) predators preying on women in restrooms. So in essence it is two separate issues that are tied together.
I saw it happen here in Houston when a non discrimination ordinance was overturned on the “bathroom issue.” The majority of people weren’t concerned about transgendered people using restrooms so much as it becoming a loophole for (straight male) predators. I personally disagree with that logic, but i think that helps explain the popularity of these bills.
And yes, it is also a dog whistle issue for conservatives, but for the majority of the population I think it is more a fear of rape than a fear of transgendered people.
For the record, I think we should just have unisex bathrooms with stalls. I studied in Germany and my dorm not only had unisex toilets but also unisex showers and there was never a problem.
Lol at 50 trans people in NC. Bless your heart!
Oh, honey. There are more than 50 trans people in North Carolina. Also, the whole women being preyed upon in bathrooms is a total red herring – HB2 is about discrimination, plain and simple. Anyone who states otherwise needs to come to terms with the fact that they’re transphobic.
I’ll chime in as a local, although ANON TX explained things really well. We have a number of cities that are diverse, progressive, and welcoming. In between we have huge stretches of rural poverty. There’s a pretty close correlation between education level and being open-minded. The same people who think HB2 will save them from rape are the same people who deny evolution by saying, “I didn’t come from no monkey,” a line I’ve heard more times than I can count.
I just want y’all to know that yes, we Democrats vote our hearts out but no, we haven’t been the majority since 2008. If you look at the county-level voting maps, you’ll see that all of the blue is hyperconcentrated in about three counties. I can tell you that I have known dozens of transgender persons and scores of gay couples, many of whom are raising children without anyone acting weird about it. None of the kids in my area think it’s weird to have two moms, and you’ll hear kids say things like, “when I grow up and marry a boy or a girl…” like either is equally possible. For the past several weeks we’ve had rainbow flags up and down our streets. We live in a bubble, though, and if we drive 20 miles out of town it’s a different world.
I don’t mind events being cancelled if it brings attention to the opposition to this bill. It does make me sad that people who work security and tech for theaters and arenas at an hourly wage are the ones bearing the brunt of this economic boycott. They are for the most part the most LGBT friendly people. How can we make it hurt for out legislators?
I am from NC as well and agree with what NC Liberal is saying..
However, I also come from a political family, and just want to throw something out there that I think people are missing. The HB2 bill, in my opinion is a “smoke and mirrors” type political move. Let’s get everyone talking about this issue with what bathroom people are allowed to use..and then sneak in another law we want passed further down in the bill. And honestly, it has worked just that way. I’m not saying I agree with the restroom part of the bill, I’m just saying that everyone has missed other things by focusing on that part of the bill.
I was raised and am a conservative..although I would say left-wing republican as I have some liberal views. I don’t believe anyone should be discriminated against regardless of race, gender, sexual preference, etc. I have raised my children the same way. I think this deal with the restrooms is pointless and should have never been brought up..The gov’t should have just left that one alone. And I also think all of this hoop-lah going through the mini-van mom crowd is ridiculous. To think all of a sudden a pedophile or rapist is going to get this great idea to dress as a women to get in the women’s bathroom, is just narrow thinking. I’m sure pedophiles and rapist have already thought of that before. They need to worry about their children’s online footprint before they worry about who is in the bathroom..because I am sure the parents are right there beside their children when they go to the restroom anyway.
I still love NC and living here. It is gorgeous and for the most part people are some of the nicest you can meet. We do have our share of a–holes, like all states..but it’s a shame we are getting such negative press.
Global warming, poverty, extinction of many species, war, but policitians are more concerned about the gender of the person using a washroom?
Good for Demi and Nick plus other celebrities taking a stand against this law
Good for them. I’m sure fans already know where they stand on these issues so I would hope they would be understanding of the cancellation. I think not going to the state sends a bigger message than donating money to LGBT centres.
I have an irrational, largely inexplicable dislike for both these individuals. Her in particular, but to my dislike for him tends to increase when I’m confronted with his brothers too. Anyway, this is a good move and well done to the pair of them for doing it.
I can’t stand her (don’t know anything about him) but ITA that this was the right thing to do.
I have nothing to add to this conversation. I just came here to say that I had no clue that Joe Jonas was in that DNCE group. Mind blown. Way to revive your career when your little brother was/is eclipsing you.
Smart move on his part. Love the Korean guitarist.
I recently read about a lawyer who is one of the individuals who works for and supports the Liberty Council state publicly on Twitter that she will be taking her concealed weapon into bathrooms to ‘defend’ herself against any trans individuals she sees.
So yes, boycotts are the ways to go, people are living in fear they’ll be shot dead because of some religious nutcase just gunning for a prime time spot on Fox News. There is no time to show up and try and play nice and donate proceeds.
NC native here. It’s the bathroom thing that’s got people upset. Nobody wants men to legally be able to come into a women’s bathroom or worse, locker room. The law was written so there would be no challenges allowed, so theoretically if a gang of men went into the women’s bathroom or locker room for more nefarious reasons, there’s no way to stop them.
As to this big boycott with these two, the comments on the local tv site ran the very short gamut from “who?” to “big deal.” We had way bigger names boycott (Bruce Springstein). Cyndi Lauper was the hero in all this, though. She honored her obligation to her fans, performed, and donated all her money to the cause. Now that’s how it’s done with class.
“so theoretically if a gang of men went into the women’s bathroom or locker room for more nefarious reasons, there’s no way to stop them.”
LOL so people are actually naïve enough to think that if a gang of men are going to assault a woman in a bathroom that some law is going to stop them? That’s cute.
The average, harmless man isn’t going to go into a woman’s locker room or a bathroom because that would make them (and us) feel uncomfortable. If a violent man has the inclination to do so it’s going to happen, regardless of whether some arbitrary law says that he can’t.
It’s fear-mongering and reactionary extremism to base a law on a hypothetical that historically-speaking, rarely if ever happens.
First, I agree with what most people are saying, that these laws do not protect people from rape, that teams people are already a vulnerable population, etc. And, yes, there is a segment of the population who supports these bills purely out of hate.
However, my point again is that there is a very real, very large segment of the population that has a very real (albeit in my opinion very misguided) belief that the laws somehow do protect them from rape. And that many in this population probably don’t think it has anything to do with trans people. As a democrat in Texas I find that calling someone a bigot and refusing to interact with them simply reinforces their idea that the world is somehow against them and their beliefs. But I have actually helped modify the opinions of conservative friends when I talk to people who I may disagree with, listen to their opinions, and then present my own. So, perhaps taking the time to engage and educate and explain would get more traction in North Carolina and the other states dealing with this. So, sure, boycott to raise awareness, but couple that with outreach and education. Because I think it is a rare person in this world who has never had an opinion that is irrational or misguided, and most of us are willing to listen if approached the right way.
I REALLY appreciate everything you’re saying, particularly the part about listening because I think that’s one of the few ways that we’re able to change people’s minds and it’s something that we definitely don’t do enough of. That, and education are key IMO.
This American Life recently did a story about canvassers who were going door-to-door and were able to change people’s minds on hot-button issues simply by volunteering personal stories and patiently listening to the citizens they visited.
This made me think of your comment because on the podcast they talked about the *backfire effect*: “When we’re confronted with evidence disproving something that we personally believe, most of us generally just dig in, and we believe it more.”
Anyway, one of the hot-button issues was LGBT, specifically trans issues. I feel naïve for saying this but I was surprised to hear live recordings of the canvasser talking to people who literally had ZERO idea what a transgendered person was–some thought it was a gay man, others thought it was just a man who dressed up as a woman. Once the canvasser took the time to explain what a transgendered person goes through, how many of them endure their formative years feeling trapped in someone else’s body, the people who were previously opposed to trans rights became more open-minded and receptive towards trans issues. I’m not saying that this will work on everyone, since there’s a faction of the population who chooses to remain ignorant about these matters, but I agree 100% that it’s always worth trying.
Thanks for your comment and thanks for reminding me that we catch more bees with honey 😉
People are going to do bad things regardless of the law.
Also it is going to put a lot of trans people in harms way. Their deaths are already higher than the average person, but if they have to use a bathroom based on the gender given at birth that puts them in a vulnerable position to be assaulted or killed based on what they look like now. It’s no fair and shouldn’t be allowed because people are ignorant.
I never realized the vaguely woman shaped stick figure on bathroom doors held such mystical powers to keep a criminal determined to rape from doing so.
I’m gonna put one on my front door now.
“Who” and “Big Deal” to the continued loss of revenue, tourism, and taxable profit from tickets because of people actually believing something so nonsensical is what this law was really about.
It wasn’t about protecting the sanctity of drinking fountains in the 30’s, it’s not about protecting bathrooms now. It is and always has been about discrimination against vulnerable minority groups.
The problem I see with this law is that it is nearly completely unenforceable. How would one know what any particular person has under their skirt? Even most police departments in the state had admitted that they have no intention of actually policing bathrooms. Thus, I suppose it would fall to individuals to “report” those they suspect to be another sex. Which…how does that work, exactly? Who do they report to? This law is, above everything else, a waste of resources. That’s the biggest issue with it. Passing it, litigating it, etc. simply wastes the tax money of the state’s people, and that should make you angry.
I can get behind this in theory, but I see a lot of stars boycotting North Carolina but who have little problem going overseas and performing in lucrative markets like Dubai (the UAE is nowhere close to LGBT friendly) or other places. If both of them are consistent in their views, good for them. But too many celebrities are selective with their outrage, especially when money starts talking.
Good point!
THIS! The law is absurd, but when you play in China and Dubai when stating this is your issue. . . sorry, no respect.
No offense to Nick, but Demi dropped Adam Lambert for her team’s other star Nick. The tour was firstly Demi’s.she’s the bigger star. Did he even have an opinion?
If my trans son was forced to use the women’s restroom in NC because of the “equipment” he has… the women in there would scream and freak about a MAN being in the ladies room.
This law is idiotic and dangerous to all trans folks, and is just another way for conservatives to use fear mongering for an issue that has never existed… for votes.
This time, however, it’s at the expense of the civil rights of fellow Americans to simply live their daily lives. This law has not just threatened the rights of a vulnerable part of our society, it has erased them.
Nope. We won’t stand for this.
This law tries to strip away the dignity of a transgendered person. A fellow human being is being denied the simple right of relieving themselves publicly just like anyone else. The lack of humanity in this law is sad.
Absolutely, when was this ever a problem? Meanwhile they defend Hastert. Urgh.
I’m a conservative (libratarian) and I think this law is stupid. I don’t know why they passed it. Anyone could get dressed up and go into anywhere. Hell, video cameras end up in bathrooms. It’s a ridiculous law and there has to be something else behind it besides discrimination.
On another note: why is this girl who “loves her body” and wants to promote “good body image” always photoshopped to death?
This law is a ridiculous piece of legislation and should be repealed. Having said that, I am not a big fan of boycotting for the fact that the unnamed workers of those venues don’t get paid. Yes, there will be a great loss of income for the state, but the pressure felt by the state won’t be as immediate the financial pressure felt by hourly employees.