Cancellations over anti LGBT law could cost North Carolina US$88m

Image:Pearl Jam will donate money to groups working to overturn the law

Dozens of cancellations by music acts protesting the anti-LGBT Public Facilities Privacy and Security Act is costing the state of North Carolina millions of dollars.

As more music and business associations pull events, the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau predicted it will lose US$88 million in tourism over the next four years.

The HB2 law, introduced last month, restricts the civil rights of LGBT people in areas including housing, healthcare and employment. For instance, they cannot sue if they are hassled or attacked at work. Another controversial provision requires transgender people to use the restroom that matches the gender on their birth certificate.

The shows by Bruce Springsteen & The E-Street Band and Pearl Jam would have grossed $3 million, and the state would have taxed them at a rate of 7.5%, reported Billboard. In addition, the 30,000 who would have attended would have spent a further $500,000 on car parking, drinks, merchandising and other revenue for the venues. It also means lost marketing dollars, lost local jobs and cancelled hotel rooms.

The two shows were promoted by Live Nation, who has applauded the stance of the two acts saying it “supports our artists’ efforts to take a stand against these exclusionary and unfair laws.”

Others who pulled North Carolina shows included Boston, Bryan Adams, Ringo Starr and Cirque de Soleil, while cancelling lucrative events there have been PayPal, Deutsche Bank, Michael Moore, Lionsgate Films, Stephen Schwartz and XHamster.com. Over 80 major CEOs and business leaders have demanded that North Carolina repeal the law.

Several cities, including Washington, D.C., San Francisco, New York and Atlanta have also banned government-sponsored travel to the state.

Springsteen spelled out, “No other group of North Carolinians faces such a burden. 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.”

Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder, speaking onstage at a concert in Virginia on the day they cancelled their NC show, admitted, “It was a hard process, because we thought we could still play, and make things right … we could fortify all the people on the ground that are working to repeal this despicable law.

“We thought we could take the money and give it to them, and still play the show, but the reality is, there’s nothing like the immense power of boycotting and pulling a string. And it’s a shame … but it could be the way that ultimately is going to affect change. So ultimately, we just couldn’t find it in ourselves, in good conscience, to cross a picket line.”

Pearl Jam will donate money to groups working to overturn the law.

Cyndi Lauper who is playing the state on June 4 says the show will go on and is aimed at raising awareness and funds for such groups.

Gregg Allman also played his show last week. Stressing he stood “in solidarity with the LGBT community, he explained, “I know that North Carolina is a state full of good folks and loyal fans, many of whom are angry about and feel misrepresented by [HB2]. My band and I will continue to play our show … and hope that our music unites people in this challenging time.”

Also scheduled to play the state over the next few months are Justin Bieber, Hall & Oates, Dave Matthews Band, Journey, Selena Gomez, Rush, Demi Lovato/Nick Jonas and R. Kelly.

Governor Pat McCrory lashed back at musicians, in a statement accusing the cancelling musicians of “selective outrage.” It added, “It is the height of hypocrisy for these Hollywood elitists to deny their service to customers over a political disagreement.

“The reality is that while these and other groups unfairly target North Carolina, they often tour and play shows in the 29 other states with similar levels of anti-discrimination protections as North Carolina.”