Ringo Starr has pulled out of a concert in North Carolina in response to the ongoing row over the “bathroom bill”.
The ex-Beatles drummer said he’d canceled his forthcoming All Starr Tour performance in Cary to show support for those “fighting against the bigotry of HB2”.
Critics of the new law say it discriminates against transgender people and are urging politicans to overturn it.
In a statement Starr said: “I’m sorry to disappoint my fans in the area, but we need to take a stand against this hatred. Spread peace and love.”
The Public Facilities Privacy and Security Act, now widely known as the “bathroom bill”, was signed into law last month by Governor Pat McCrory.
The legislation stipulates that people can only use bathrooms that match the sex that is indicated on their birth certificate.
Starr, 75, is the latest celerity to wade into the row.
Earlier this month Bruce Springsteen also canceled a concert in North Carolina for the same reason.
Meanwhile Cyndi Lauper has announced that she plans to turn her upcoming Raleigh concert into an event “to build public support to repeal HB2.”
She said: “I will be donating all of the profits from the show to Equality North Carolina’s efforts to repeal HB2.”
Starr encouraged his fans to help scrap the Public Facilities Privacy and Security Act by supporting organizations that are “fighting to overturn” the law.
On Tuesday, McCrory announced an executive order addressing concerns over the bill.
He said: “After listening to people’s feedback for the past several weeks on this issue, I have come to the conclusion that there is a great deal of misinformation, misinterpretation, confusion, a lot of passion and frankly, selective outrage and hypocrisy, especially against the great state of North Carolina. Based upon this feedback, I am taking action to affirm and improve the state’s commitment to privacy and equality.”
Starr is estimated to have a $250 million fortune. He divides his time between London and Los Angeles.
It is not clear if his concert, which was meant to take place in June, will be rescheduled.