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Bryan Adams cancels Mississippi gig over states anti-LBGT law

Canadian singer Bryan Adams has cancelled his upcoming concert in Biloxi, Mississippi as a protest against the state’s new anti-gay law. The law, which goes into effect on July 1, allows businesses and even some health care providers to refuse services to gay couples on the basis of religious beliefs. It’s similar to the “Religious Freedom Bill” recently passed in North Carolina and vetoed in my home state of Georgia (thank God). Artists have spoken out about the North Carolina bill, with Bruce Springsteen canceling a gig in Greensboro, and Joel McHale donating proceeds from his show in Durham to a local LBGTQ center.

Adamns, 56, posted the following message regarding the cancelled gig, originally scheduled for April 14, on his Facebook page:

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. – Bryan Adams ‪#‎stop1523‬

[From Bryan’s Facebook]

Bruce Springsteen’s guitarist Stevie Van Zant posted a message of support for Bryan on his Twitter feed:

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

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

I’m with Stevie, way to go, Bryan. These laws are simply hateful and serve no good purpose. I do feel bad for the workers at the concert venue who are missing a paycheck, but if no one takes a stance, nothing will happen and the discrimination will continue. Here’s hoping that more artists boycott these states until these awful laws are abolished.

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