BILOXI, Miss., April 11 (UPI) — Bryan Adams has cancelled a previously scheduled concert in Mississippi over the state’s passing of a new law.
The concert which was to be held at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum April 14 in Biloxi, was scrapped Sunday due to the musician’s feelings on the state’s signing of “Religious Liberty” bill 1523.
Adams took to Facebook to explain his stance and how he finds the bill “incomprehensible” and discriminatory against members of the LGBT community.
“Mississippi has passed anti-LGBT ‘Religious Liberty’ bill 1523. I find it incomprehensible that LGBT citizens are being discriminated against in the state of Mississippi. I cannot in good conscience perform in a State where certain people are being denied their civil rights due to their sexual orientation,” the songwriter wrote.
“Therefore i’m canceling my 14 April show at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum. Using my voice I stand in solidarity with all my LGBT friends to repeal this extremely discriminatory bill. Hopefully Mississippi will right itself and I can come back and perform for all of my many fans. I look forward to that day,” Adams continued.
The “Religious Liberty” bill which allows private businesses and religious groups to deny service to members of the LGBT community, will take effect in July.
Adams’ cancellation comes days after fellow musician Bruce Springsteen made headlines for canceling a show in North Carolina to protest the state’s passing of the HB2 Public Facilities Privacy and Security Act, which specifies the bathrooms transgender people are permitted to use.
“Some things are more important than a rock show and this fight against prejudice and bigotry — which is happening as I write — is one of them. It is the strongest means I have for raising my voice in opposition to those who continue to push us backwards instead of forwards,” Springsteen noted in a statement.
“Bruce is known to be on the radical left, and he’s got every right to be so, but I consider this a bully tactic. It’s like when a kid gets upset and says he’s going to take his ball and go home,” Republican congressman Mark Walker said about the rocker in response to the cancellation.
