Entertainment

Tracy Morgan Cancels Performance In Mississippi Over Religious Freedom Law

Kaitlan Collins Contributor
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Tracy Morgan has scrapped a scheduled performance in Mississippi because of the state’s religious freedom law.

Tracy Morgan cancels Mississippi

(Photo: John Lamparski/Getty Images)

Though the comedian was supposed to perform at the Horseshoe Tunica Hotel & Casino in April, his rep issued a statement Tuesday explaining he was canceling it because of the new law that allows religious groups and private organizations to refuse gay couples service. (RELATED: These Celebrities Want To Punish Conservative States)

“Tracy did not make this decision lightly,” the statement said. “He very much looks forward to rescheduling his tour dates in the area after the ‘Protecting Freedom of Conscience from Government Discrimination Act’ is either repealed or heavily amended.”

As the Hollywood Reporter notes, Morgan once received widespread criticism for several gay jokes he made during a stand-up performance in Nashville in 2011.

During his set, Morgan said that if he had a gay son he would “pull out a knife and stab him.”

Morgan later apologized for the jokes at a GLAAD press conference.

“I didn’t mean it,” Morgan said at the time. “I don’t have a hateful bone in my body. I don’t believe that anyone should be bullied or just made to feel bad about who they are. I totally feel that, in my heart, I really don’t care who you love, same-sex or not, as long as you have the ability to love.”

He is one of several celebrities to cancel performances in Mississippi, including the singer Bryan Adams. (RELATED: Billy Ray Cyrus’s Fans SLAM Him For Criticizing ‘Religious Freedom’ Law In Mississippi)

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