You might be surprised to hear that Cyndi Lauper will perform in North Carolina
Cyndi Lauper has become well known for her LGBT-rights advocacy. Which is why some will be surprised to hear she is going to go ahead and perform in North Carolina.
Bruce Springsteen and Ringo Starr are among celebrities to ditch appearances in the state after Governor Pat McCrory signed HB2, a ‘religious freedom’ bill into law.
As well as allowing discrimination against LGBT people, the bill, passed in a specially called session, actually rolled back pre-existing local protections for LGBT rights.
Lauper showed she’s so unusual, by saying she will go ahead with a June 4th performance in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Speaking to TMZ, Lauper said she would donate all of her profits from the show to Equality North Carolina, an organisation fighting against HB2.
She said: “I think the best way I can do my part is to turn my show into an entire day to build public support to repeal HB2.”
The Girls Just Want To Have Fun star’s manager and agent will also donate their fees to the cause.
Saying “they need our support” she did not criticise other artists who have cancelled performances there, but said she wanted to show her feelings towards the bigoted legislation in her own way, adding: “we all have to include ourselves in the effort”.
Last month North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory signed law which voids all local ordinances protecting LGBT rights, as well as permitting businesses to discriminate against LGBT people on the grounds of religious belief.
The new law also bans transgender students in public schools from using their preferred bathroom.
McCrory’s decision has attracted a legal challenge as well as a growing boycott of the state, with over 100 companies slamming the decision.
After Springsteen’s announcement, the guitarist from the E Street Band Steven Van Zandt said North Carolina’s anti-LGBT law is like an “evil virus” in explaining why their concert was cancelled for this Sunday.
Springsteen was accused of using “bully tactics” for cancelling the concert by one of the state’s Representatives.
But dozens of celebrities and hundreds of fans came to the defence of Springsteen, commending him for taking a stand.
McCrory yesterday issued an order attempting to water down the anti-LGBT law – but most of its provisions remain in place.
“After listening to people’s feedback for the past several weeks on this issue, I have come to the conclusion that there is a great deal of misinformation, misinterpretation, confusion, a lot of passion and frankly, selective outrage and hypocrisy, especially against the great state of North Carolina,” McCrory said in a statement.
“Based upon this feedback, I am taking action to affirm and improve the state’s commitment to privacy and equality.”
Meanwhile in Mississippi, which passed similar, if not worse legislation, Sharon Stone cancelled filming of a project in the state, and Bryan Adams also snubbed the state, cancelling a gig.
