“To cancel my shows in NC would further oppress my fans who are hurt by this legislation, who worked hard to suppress it, and who need a place where they can come together.”
Out singer Brandi Carlile announced Sunday that, unlike Bruce Springsteen, she would not be canceling any of her North Carolina shows over the recently passed bill allowing LGBT discrimination.
Last week Springsteen made headlines as he announced canceled performances in North Carolina, writing, "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."
(Various performers have been following suit in light of a recent spate of anti-LGBT legislation. On Sunday, Bryan Adams canceled an upcoming concert in Mississippi over HB 1523, which was signed into law last week.)
In her announcement, Carlile thanked Springsteen for bringing awareness to the anti-LGBT bill in North Carolina. "These are massive shows and this is big business lost for NC- Bruce is not LGBTQ himself- but is bravely defending those of us that are."
"As artists it's our responsibility to take cause against those who would oppress our brothers and sisters and defend them using whatever power we possess," the singer added.
"For very different reasons I have decided not to cancel my North Carolina shows," she continued, noting that to cancel her shows would only "further oppress" her LGBT fanbase.
"I'm a small artist, and I'm gay, many of my fans are gay as well," she wrote. "To cancel my shows in NC would further oppress my fans who are hurt by this legislation, who worked hard to suppress it, and who need a place where they can come together."
