Bryan Adams and Bruce Springsteen are punishing conservative states because of new laws that reportedly limit LGBT rights.
Bryan Adams (L) and Bruce Springsteen (R). (Photos: Getty Images)
On Monday, Adams — the Canadian rocker who belted out “Summer of ’69” — posted a photo of a rainbow on Instagram and announced he was canceling his scheduled performance in Mississippi because the state signed a bill into law that would allow religious groups and private organizations to refuse gay couples service. (RELATED: LGBT Group Sues North Carolina Over ‘Bathroom Law’)
“I find it incomprehensible that LGBT citizens are being discriminated against in the state of Mississippi,” Adams wrote. “I cannot in good conscience perform in a State [sic] where certain people are being denied their civil rights due to their sexual orientation.”
“Using my voice I stand in solidarity with all my LGBT friends to repeal this extremely discriminatory bill,” he added. “Hopefully Mississippi will right itself and I can come back and perform for all of my many fans. I look forward to that day.” (RELATED: Lena Dunham: ‘White Men’ Can’t Understand What It’s Like To Be ‘Under Attack’)
Last Friday, Springsteen canceled a performance in North Carolina over its new “bathroom law,” which requires individuals to use the bathroom that matches the gender on their birth certificate.
A photo posted by Bruce Springsteen (@springsteen) on
“To my mind, it’s an attempt by people who cannot stand the progress our country has made in recognizing the human rights of all of our citizens to overturn that progress,” Springsteen said.
“Taking all of this into account, 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.”
“Some things are more important than a rock show,” he added. “And this fight against prejudice and bigotry — which is happening as I write — is one of them.” (RELATED: Hillary Ditches LGBT Group So She Can Be On ‘Saturday Night Live’)