Bryan Adams Cancels Mississippi Gig in Support of LGBT Rights

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Update (April 12): Many artists are weighing in on the issue. Here’s Gregg Allman (via his Facebook page):

For over 45 years, I’ve been fortunate to play music all around this country and the world. I’ve been honored to know and be friends with many different people from all walks of life. Although we, as a nation, have made progress in many areas, it’s sad and infuriating that some, in 2016, are still working so hard to take the rights away from our brothers and sisters, as in the cases of “bathroom laws” recently passed in North Carolina (HB2 – Public Facilities Privacy and Security Act) and Mississippi (“Religious Liberty” bill 1523), discriminating against the LGBT community.

I know that North Carolina is a state full of good folks and loyal fans, many of whom are angry about and feel misrepresented by this action. My band and I will continue to play our show as scheduled there tomorrow, April 13, and hope that our music unites people in this challenging time. We stand in solidarity with the LGBT community urging Gov. McCrory to listen to the people and reverse this wrong. – Gregg Allman

Just days after Bruce Springsteen canceled a concert in Greensboro, NC to protest that state’s anti-LGBT “Bathroom Law,” Bryan Adams followed suit by pulling out of a show this Thursday at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum in Biloxi for similar reasons.

Mississippi has passed anti-LGBT ‘Religious Liberty’ bill 1523. I find it incomprehensible that LGBT citizens are being…

Posted by Bryan Adams on Sunday, April 10, 2016

Mississippi has passed anti-LGBT ‘Religious Liberty’ bill 1523. I find it incomprehensible that LGBT citizens are being discriminated against in the state of Mississippi. I cannot in good conscience perform in a State where certain people are being denied their civil rights due to their sexual orientation. Therefore i’m cancelling my 14 April show at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum. Using my voice I stand in solidarity with all my LGBT friends to repeal this extremely discriminatory bill. Hopefully Mississippi will right itself and I can come back and perform for all of my many fans. I look forward to that day.

The law signed last week by Mississippi’s governor says it is meant to protect “sincerely held religious beliefs or moral convictions.” It will allow people who, for instance, feel homosexuality is sinful to refuse business and professional services to gay people. This law also states that a person’s gender identity is “determined by anatomy and genetics at time of birth” and allows businesses to determine who can access bathrooms, dressing rooms and locker rooms.

Adams’ protest has already gotten support from the Springsteen/E Street Band camp.

Right on Bryan Adams! Canceling the gig in Mississippi. The other front in the war against discrimination.

— Stevie Van Zandt (@StevieVanZandt) April 11, 2016