New repercussions may result from House Bill 2 as more businesses express disagreement with the law. HB2 was passed March 23 and has been criticized as discriminatory against the LGBT community.
More than 100 business leaders and CEOs, including those of Starbucks, Bank of America, Facebook and Apple, have publicly denounced the law, signing their names to a letter sent to Gov. Pat McCrory in hopes that the legislation will be repealed, according to a Human Rights Campaign press release.
The HRC and Equality NC teamed up to help write the letter, hoping that business leaders would sign it, proving to North Carolina that this bill is against what many companies believe in.
“Discrimination is bad for North Carolina, bad for America and bad for business,” said Chad Griffin, president of the HRC, in its press release.
The HRC is a national civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality.
“Discrimination is wrong, and we believe it has no place in North Carolina or anywhere in our country,” the letter read. “The business community, by and large, has consistently communicated to lawmakers at every level that such laws are bad for our employees and bad for business.”
In addition to the many companies and organizations voicing their disagreement with the recent state law, a few celebrities have joined the cause, some of whom are boycotting the state entirely.
Music icon Bruce Springsteen canceled his show in Greensboro that was scheduled for Sunday, citing HB2 as his reason.
According to The News & Observer, Springsteen announced to his fans via Facebook that he was canceling the event and expressed his support for the advocacy groups fighting for the repeal of the law.
“Some things are more important than a rock show,” Springsteen said in the Facebook message. “And this fight against prejudice and bigotry is one of them.”
Springsteen apologized to the nearly 15,000 fans who bought tickets to his show. Many of the fans expressed their support of the cancelation, The News & Observer reported.
“As disappointed as I am, this is why we love Bruce Springsteen,” said Steve Eisenstadt, who had tickets to the show, according to The News & Observer.
Local artists expressed their disagreement with the law as well.
Chatham County Line, a Raleigh-based bluegrass band, announced last Friday that it was taking down the North Carolina flag from its stage until the repeal of HB2, according to The News & Observer.
“We believe that music should bring everyone together,” the band announced on its Facebook page. “Unfortunately, this flag does not currently convey that message.”
In spite of backlash from business leaders and celebrities, some lawmakers, including Republican Sen. Richard Burr, say HB2 will not deter companies from coming to North Carolina.
“It’s a state issue,” Burr told The News & Observer. “I’ve still got companies talking to me about moving to North Carolina.”
So far, McCrory has not expressed regret in his decision or any intent to repeal the law.