Maroon 5 is the latest act to cancel an appearance in North Carolina because of the state’s new law dictating which bathroom transgender individuals can use.
The band explained its decision in a message posted on its website earlier today.
“We have announced that we will be canceling our upcoming shows in Charlotte and Raleigh, North Carolina, because of the recent passage of the HB2 legislation,” the Adam Levine-fronted group said. “This was a difficult decision for us to make as a band. We don’t want to penalize our fans in North Carolina by not performing for them, but in the end it comes down to what we feel is morally right.”
The canceled concerts were scheduled to take place at the Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte Sept. 11 and at the PNC Arena in Raleigh Sept. 12. Fans who already purchased tickets can obtain refunds; check with each venue’s box office for further information.
HB2, which is more commonly known as the “Bathroom Law,” was passed in March. It states that transgender people must use public restrooms and changing facilities that correspond with the gender on their birth certificates rather than the gender they most identify with. It also blocks local governments from passing anti-discrimination protections based on sexual orientation. This law, which is the first of its kind in the United States, has sparked multiple lawsuits and a plethora of backlash.
“Hundreds of concerts have been successfully performed across North Carolina, including Beyoncé, over the past few weeks since the law was passed,” said Ricky Diaz, a spokesperson for the state’s Republican governor, Pat McCrory. “We may never know why Maroon 5 waited until weeks later to make their political statement, but at this point, the only people they are hurting by hypocritically targeting North Carolina for selective outrage are their fans and the hardworking men and women servicing these shows while they keep tour dates overseas - even in Russia.”
Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam, Demi Lovato, Nick Jonas, Itzhak Perlman and Ringo Starr are among the artists who have also canceled performances in North Carolina. Others, like Cyndi Lauper and Louis C.K., kept their scheduled performances in order to donate proceeds from those shows to groups fighting HB2.
Even though Beyoncé performed in the state May 3, she posted a note on her website that, in part, said: “We think it is important for us to bring attention to those who are committed to being good and carrying on the message of equality in this core of controversy.” The “Lemonade” singer then shared a link to the organization Equality NC, which is “dedicated to securing equal rights and justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) North Carolinians.”
