Hollywood actors, fellow musicians, politicians, and other public figures lavished praise on rocker Bruce Springsteen over his decision to cancel a concert in North Carolina to protest the state’s recently passed LGBT “bathroom” law.
On Friday, Springsteen joined a growing list of stars and corporations boycotting North Carolina over the passage of the Public Facilities Privacy and Security Act. The law, which prohibits transgender men who identify as women from using the state’s women’s restrooms, also prevents local municipalities from enacting separate anti-discrimination statutes.
In a statement explaining why he cancelled the Greensboro show, Springsteen said the “fight against prejudice and bigotry” is more important than playing music.
He further accused the new law of attacking “the rights of LGBT citizens to sue when their human rights are violated in the workplace,” adding: “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.”
Praise for the 66-year-old rocker poured in on Twitter:
I ❤️ Bruce @Springsteen.
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) April 8, 2016
Just when you couldn't love @springsteen anymore! What a man. https://t.co/AT1ChPnE77
— James Corden (@JKCorden) April 8, 2016
THE BOSS! "Some things r more important than a rock show & this fight against prejudice & bigotry is one of them."https://t.co/07sNoK9OhN
— Jamie Lee Curtis (@jamieleecurtis) April 8, 2016
Proud to be in the E Street Band. https://t.co/4OpgGageXz
— Stevie Van Zandt (@StevieVanZandt) April 8, 2016
Somehow, giving Bruce Springsteen the title "singer-songwriter" doesn't quite seem like enough. #atmp
— Colin Hanks (@ColinHanks) April 9, 2016
Thank you @springsteen for canceling your concert in NC in the fight against prejudice. You Rock #actions speak louder than words.
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) April 8, 2016
Thank you for being you @springsteen. https://t.co/1UDIHevri3
— Josh Gad (@joshgad) April 9, 2016
"Some things are more important than a rock show and this LGBT fight is one of them" Why we call him The Boss. pic.twitter.com/TqesAFq2wa
— Billy Bragg (@billybragg) April 8, 2016
Thank you Bruce @Springsteen for taking a stand against #LGBT discrimination in North Carolina https://t.co/C0iBdXqDfF #HB2 #EqualityForward
— Senator Jeff Merkley (@SenJeffMerkley) April 8, 2016
THANK YOU BRUCE!!!!!! THE TRUE BOSS https://t.co/pvaAInYxZN
— Andy Cohen (@Andy) April 8, 2016
The LGBT advocacy organization Human Rights Campaign also issued a statement praising the singer for canceling on North Carolina: “Bruce Springsteen is a hero and an icon because he gives voice, both through his music and his advocacy, to those who struggle against injustice and equality,” said the group’s president, Chad Griffin.
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