Bryan Adams has cancelled a concert in Mississippi over the state’s new controversial religious liberty law.
The law, which was passed last week, allows some private businesses and religious groups to refuse service to gay people.
The Canadian singer-songwriter was due to play a gig on Thursday, but issued a statement saying ‘he could not in good conscience’ perform in the state and added that he found it ‘incomprehensible that LGBT citizens are being discriminated against’.
The law, according to Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant, offers protection for Christians who adhere to traditional views of marriage and gender roles, which Governor Bryant says ‘protects sincerely held religious beliefs and moral convictions’.
Adams said in his statement that he was using his voice to ‘stand in solidarity with all [his] LGBT friends to repeal this extremely discriminatory bill’.
He said: “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’ move to cancel his concert due to the controversial law comes days after Bruce Springsteen did the same.
Due to play in North Carolina, Springsteen responded to a law passed in the state that limits the rights of the LGBT community, and cancelled his gig.
Posted by Bruce Springsteen on Friday, April 8, 2016
Springsteen joined business groups in condemning the law, BBC reports, which essentially requires transgender people to use public bathrooms that were designated for ‘their biological sex’.
It’s absolutely shocking that bills like these are still being passed, but we’re glad influential celebrities like Adams and Springsteen are standing up in light of these ridiculous laws.
