Pop rockers Nick Jonas and Demi Lovato have joined a growing list of artists who have cancelled concerts in North Carolina over the state’s recent passage of HB 2, or what has been called an “anti-LGBT” law governing public restrooms.
In a statement released through LGBT advocacy organization GLAAD on Monday, Lovato and Jonas, who are co-headlining a North American tour together, said that planned stops in Charlotte on June 30 and Raleigh on July 2 would no longer go on as scheduled.
“After much thought and deliberation, Nick and I have decided to cancel our shows in Raleigh and Charlotte,” the pair wrote in a statement. “One of our goals for the Honda Civic Tour: Future Now has always been to create an atmosphere where every single attendee feels equal, included, and accepted for who they are.”
“North Carolina’s discriminatory HB2 law is extremely disappointing, and it takes away some of the LGBT community’s most basic rights and protections. But we will not allow this to stop us from continuing to make progress for equality and acceptance,” the artists added. “We know the cancelation of these shows is disappointing to our fans, but we trust that you will stand united with us against this hateful law.”
Lovato, 23, was a recipient of the GLAAD Vanguard Award at the organization’s Media Awards ceremony earlier this month, for her work advocating for LGBT causes.
In a statement, GLAAD CEO Sarah Kate Ellis said that in boycotting North Carolina, both Lovato and Jonas were “sending a clear message to fans and lawmakers alike: hate should never be tolerated.”
North Carolina’s HB 2 was signed into law earlier this month after it passed both houses of the state Legislature. The bill mandates that transgender people must use public bathrooms that correspond with their biological sex, and prohibits cities within the state from passing their own non-discrimination ordinances.
Lovato and Jonas join other artists including Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam, Boston, Ringo Starr, Michael Moore and theater troupe Cirque du Soleil who have similarly cancelled performances in the state in protest of the legislation.
Follow Daniel Nussbaum on Twitter: @dznussbaum