Demi Lovato and Nick Jonas have made a strong, but simple point:
If transgender individuals cannot walk into any bathroom they’d like, no resident of North Carolina will be walking into an arena and watching us play music.
In response to recently-passed legislation that most folks believe is against the basic rights of those in the LGBT community, Lovato and Jonas announced this week that they will be cancelling two shows in the state.
Here is what Lovato wrote on Twitter by way of explanation:
“After much thought and deliberation, we have decided to cancel our Honda Civic Tour: Future Now shows in Raleigh and Charlotte.
“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.”
Added the stars via this joint statement:
“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.”
For those unaware of the basis over this decision…
North Carolina’s General Assembly has created and passed a bill (known as “HB2” … or the “bathroom law” in some circls) that blocks local governments within the state from enacting any anti-discrimination legislature meant to protect the LGBT community.
This includes their right to use either bathroom based on the gender with which they identify themselves.
Go ahead and hate on Demi Lovato for her stance, but we’re pretty sure she’s fine with that.
Demi and Nick are not alone, either.
To date, Billy Ray Cyrus, Ellen DeGeneres and Laverne Cox have all spoken out against the law.
Moreover, Bruce Springsteen also recently canceled one of his concerts following the legislation.
Anyone who has already purchased tickets to either of these North Carolina shows will receive a full refund.
“We know the cancellation of these shows is disappointing to our fans,” the statement concludes.
“But we trust that you will stand united with us against this hateful law.”
