SUMMARY
This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.
NEW YORK, USA – Chart-topping pop band Maroon 5 on Friday, May 20 became the latest act to cancel concerts in North Carolina over a law that targets transgender people.
The band – known for mega-hits such as “Moves Like Jagger” and “Makes Me Wonder” – called off shows scheduled in September in the southern state’s capital Raleigh and its largest city Charlotte.
“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 AS WE FEEL EVERYONE SHOULD BE TREATED EQUALLY,” the band said on its website.
Rights activists have waged a pressure campaign since North Carolina in March passed a law known as HB2 that requires transgender people to use the bathroom corresponding to the sex on their birth certificates.
Rock legend Bruce Springsteen opened the boycott campaign, with rockers Pearl Jam, Beatles drummer Ringo Starr, violin virtuoso Itzhak Perlman and the Cirque du Soleil circus following suit.
Other artists have chosen to go ahead with concerts while donating some proceeds to activists fighting HB2. They include pop superstar Beyonce, Grammy-winning British folk revivalists Mumford and Sons and 1980s pop sensation Cyndi Lauper.
Amid growing attention to transgender rights, President Barack Obama’s administration has issued a directive to all US schools to allow children to use the bathroom with which they are most comfortable. – Rappler.com
Add a comment
How does this make you feel?
There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.