The LGBT community in North Carolina just got a big show of solidarity from none other than Bruce Springsteen.
The rock icon announced Friday on his official website that he is canceling Sunday's scheduled show in Greensboro to protest the state's newly passed House Bill 2 — dubbed the "bathroom law" — which dictates which public restrooms may be used by transgender individuals and prevents LGBT individuals from suing over human rights violations in the workplace.
"Taking all of this into account," he wrote, "I feel that this is a time for me and the band to show solidarity for those freedom fighters. As a result, and with deepest apologies to our dedicated fans in Greensboro, we have canceled our show scheduled for Sunday, April 10th."
As Springsteen asked fans' forgiveness, he urged them to see the bigger picture.
"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 observed. "It is the strongest means I have for raising my voice in opposition to those who continue to push us backwards instead of forwards."
In late March, the NBA warned that it may pull the 2017 All-Star Game over the passage of HB 2, noting, "We are deeply concerned that this discriminatory law runs counter to our guiding principles of equality and mutual respect and do not yet know what impact it will have on our ability to successfully host the 2017 All-Star Game in Charlotte."
