Pearl Jam, Boston cancel North Carolina shows over LGBT law

Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam performs on stage at the 2015 Global Citizen Festival to end extreme poverty by 2030 in Central Park on September 26, 2015 in New York City. Getty Images.

Credit: Melissa Ruggieri

Credit: Melissa Ruggieri

Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam performs on stage at the 2015 Global Citizen Festival to end extreme poverty by 2030 in Central Park on September 26, 2015 in New York City. Getty Images.

Last week, Cyndi Lauper announced she would donate proceeds from her June 4 concer t in Raleigh to Equality North Carolina's efforts to repeal the controversial LGBT law, House Bill 2.

At their show in Charlotte on Saturday, Duran Duran signed a petition calling for the repeal of HB2 and encouraged fans to do the same.

But some artists are sticking with a flat-out cancellation.

Pearl Jam announced Monday it would not play its scheduled April 20 concert at PNC Arena in Raleigh. The band posted a message on its website that reads, in part:

The HB2 law that was recently passed is a despicable piece of legislation that encourages discrimination against an entire group of American citizens. The practical implications are expansive and its negative impact upon basic human rights is profound. We want America to be a place where no one can be turned away from a business because of who they love or fired from their job for who they are.

Pearl Jam’s message also indicated that it will work with local groups and provide them with funds “to help facilitate progress on this issue.”

The alt-rock band joins Bruce Springsteen , Ringo Starr Cirque du Soleil and classic rockers Boston -- who had a trio of shows scheduled in North Carolina next month -- on the list of entertainers who have nixed performances in the state since the March passage of what has become known as the "bathroom law."

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