Boston cancels North Carolina shows because of LGBT law

The band Boston is the latest musical group to cancel North Carolina shows because of its opposition to the controversial House Bill 2, which the rock band calls an “ugly expression of intolerance.”

Boston was scheduled to perform May 4-6 in Charlotte, Greensboro and Raleigh.

“HB2 has the appearance of an oppressive discriminatory law against a small minority, who already have to deal with a narrow-minded world regarding issues beyond their control which they did nothing to bring upon themselves,” the band wrote in a Facebook post Monday.

The band said it was canceling the shows in order to protest and raise awareness about HB2. The measure sets a statewide nondiscrimination standard that excludes sexual orientation and gender identity. Lawmakers had said they were responding to Charlotte’s nondiscrimination ordinance, which would have allowed transgender people to use the bathroom that corresponds with the gender with which they identify.

Bruce Springsteen, Ringo Starr and Cirque de Soleil have also canceled their North Carolina shows because they oppose HB2.

Boston said people who bought tickets person can get a refund at their place of purchase. Tickets bought online or over the phone will be automatically refunded.

This story was originally published April 18, 2016 at 2:15 PM with the headline "Boston cancels North Carolina shows because of LGBT law."