Dixie Chicks Take Unique Route in Protesting North Carolina Bathroom Bill
Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam, Ringo Starr, Nick Jonas, Demi Lovato and Maroon 5 are just a few of many artists who’ve canceled shows in North Carolina this year, in protest of controversial legislation dubbed the ‘Bathroom Bill.’ The Dixie Chicks, also outspoken supporters of LGBT rights, didn’t follow suit but instead made their voices — and thousands of others’ — heard through special gifts at their recent Raleigh and Charlotte shows.
When concertgoers walked through the gates at those two concerts, they were given free trucker hats emblazoned with the words “No hate in our state” and symbols for male, female and transgender. [See the hat in the video above.]
“We have a favor to ask: Since we didn’t cancel our show – you’re also the only state we bought gifts for – could you pull out the hats that we gave you?” lead singer Natalie Maines asked the Raleigh audience, according to the News & Observer. “Because we love to support positivity. Peace and love.”
North Carolina’s House Bill 2, which was signed into law back in March, requires that people using public bathroom facilities use the bathroom corresponding to their gender assigned at birth. That means transgender individuals are not allowed to use the facilities of their sexual identities.
“We stand w/ @HRC against discrimination in #NorthCarolina. #NoHateInOurState hats FREE to #DCXCharlotte tonight!” the Dixie Chicks tweeted before their Charlotte show.
After a sold-out stop in Nashville Wednesday night, the legendary group’s DCX MMXVI Tour continues with two shows in Florida this weekend. Last week, the Chicks shattered a box office record in their home state, becoming the highest grossing artists to ever perform at Dallas’ Gexa Energy Pavilion.
Death Cab for Cutie and Chvrches donated profits from North Carolina shows to organizations supporting LGBTQ rights.