Tracy Morgan Cancels Mississippi Performance Over Religious Accommodations Act
Tracy Morgan has canceled his Mississippi tour date, making him the latest performer to push back against the state’s legislation that critics say discriminates against the LGBT community.
A stand-up show in Tunica, Mississippi was slated as part of Morgan’s comeback stand-up tour following a fatal car crash Morgan had been severely injured in. His cancellation comes in response to the Religious Accommodations Act, which grants businesses the right to refuse services to LGBT customers throughout the state.
“Tracy did not make this decision lightly,” his rep said in a statement (via The Hollywood Reporter). “He very much looks forward to rescheduling his tour dates in the area after the ‘Protecting Freedom of Conscience from Government Discrimination Act’ is either repealed or heavily amended.”
Morgan’s move to support LGBT rights comes five years after the comic sparked criticism for anti-LGBT remarks he made during a stand-up performance in Nashville, Tennessee. In the bit, the comedian threatened to “stab” his son if he ever came out as gay. His 30 Rock co-star Tina Fey called the statements “disturbing” and Morgan later apologized, stating he didn’t “have a hateful bone in my in my body.”
Ellen DeGeneres used her talk show as a platform to speak out against this same Mississippi legislation, giving a touching and strong speech to her audience during her opening monologue about human rights. The issue had hit close to home for the comedian who grew up in Louisiana and visited the neighboring state often since she had family who lived there. Many musicians have canceled shows in North Carolina for similar reasons as Morgan, including Bruce Springsteen, Jimmy Buffett and most recently Pearl Jam.