Nick Jonas, Demi Lovato Cancel North Carolina Shows to Protest HB2
Nick Jonas and Demi Lovato have canceled a pair of North Carolina shows on their joint tour to protest the state’s passing of the controversial House Bill 2 (HB2), also known as the “bathroom bill.”
“After much thought and deliberation, Nick and I have decided to cancel our shows in Raleigh and Charlotte,” Lovato said in a statement to GLAAD. “We know the cancellation of these shows is disappointing to our fans, but we trust that you will stand united with us against this hateful law.”
The duo was scheduled to perform in Charlotte on June 30th and Raleigh on July 2nd. “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,” Lovato added.
“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.”
Jonas and Lovato join Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam, Ringo Starr, Boston and more artists who have canceled North Carolina concerts until Governor Patrick McCrory fully repeals HB2. Other acts – like Mumford & Sons, Cyndi Lauper, Alabama Shakes and Father John Misty – have carried on with North Carolina shows, with proceeds from those gigs benefitting organizations in the state actively fighting the bill.
While those artists have opted to play North Carolina shows in order to raise money for local groups fighting HB2 and bring attention to the discriminatory bill, GLAAD president and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis supported Jonas and Lovato’s decision to cancel their shows.
“Demi Lovato and Nick Jonas continue to be fearless advocates for LGBT equality and acceptance,” Ellis said in a statement. “By taking a firm stand against North Carolina’s discriminatory HB2 law, they’re sending a clear message to fans and lawmakers alike: hate should never be tolerated.”