While Against Me! recently announced their decision to play their upcoming North Carolina show to put a spotlight on North Carolina's HB2 Law, Pearl Jam have taken the opposite approach to drawing attention to it. The band has announced that they will cancel their upcoming performance on April 20 in Raleigh.

For those unaware, the HB2 legislation affects rights of transgender people. In particular, the legislation seeks to limit a transgender person to use the designated restroom with which is noted on their birth certificate, which may not be of the gender with which they currently identify. The only exceptions are for those who have taken either surgical or legal steps to change their gender notation.

Pearl Jam explained their reasons for canceling the show in an open letter at their website. It reads as follows:

It is with deep consideration and much regret that we must cancel the Raleigh show in North Carolina on April 20th.
This will be upsetting to those who have tickets and you can be assured that we are equally frustrated by the situation.
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.
It is for this reason that we must take a stand against prejudice, along with other artists and businesses, and join those in North Carolina who are working to oppose HB2 and repair what is currently unacceptable.
We have communicated with local groups and will be providing them with funds to help facilitate progress on this issue.
In the meantime we will be watching with hope and waiting in line for a time when we can return.
Perhaps even celebrate.
With immense gratitude for your understanding,
Pearl Jam

In addition, the band has posted a link where those interested may sign a petition hoping to strike down the legislation. If interested, you can do so here. Refunds for the show will be provided at the point of purchase and for those who used their Ten Club memberships to purchase tickets, the cards will be automatically refunded for the full ticket price.

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