Bruce Springsteen warns Michigan about anti-gay laws
(WENN) — Rocker Bruce Springsteen has warned concertgoers in Detroit against voting for legislation he believes discriminates against transgender people.
The singer pulled out of a gig in North Carolina earlier this month due to its law which prohibits people in the state from using bathrooms or changing facilities which are not assigned to the gender on their birth certificate.
Michigan lawmakers are currently considering a proposal to pass a similar piece of legislation in the state.
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The North Carolina law has come under fire from transgender advocates as being discriminatory, as it prevents transgender people from using the toilet facilities of the gender they assign to themselves. Springsteen has warned that he will boycott any state which passes similar legislation.
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"We hope the bill doesn't pass, 'cause we love playing in Michigan," he told an audience at Detroit's Palace of Auburn Hills on Thursday, before launching into a rendition of his hit "Born in the U.S.A."
When pulling out of the North Carolina gig, in the city of Greensboro, the rocker and his backing group, the E Street Band, issued a statement explaining why they believed the law was discriminatory.
"As you, my fans, know I'm scheduled to play in Greensboro, North Carolina this Sunday," Springsteen said. "As we also know, North Carolina has just passed HB2, which the media are referring to as the "bathroom" law...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...I feel that this is a time for me and the band to show solidarity for those freedom fighters. As a result, and with deepest apologies to our dedicated fans in Greensboro, we have canceled our show scheduled for Sunday, April 10th."
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Other rock stars have followed Springsteen's lead in refusing to play concerts in North Carolina with Ringo Starr also canceling a concert in the state, and Bryan Adams pulling out of a Mississippi gig. Actress Sharon Stone has also said she will not work anywhere which has a similar law on its books.
