Pearl Jam cancels Raleigh show because of LGBT law

Pearl Jam is the latest musical group to say it’s canceling a North Carolina show because it opposes the state’s new LGBT law, House Bill 2, which it calls a “despicable piece of legislation that encourages discrimination against an entire group of American citizens.”

Pearl Jam was scheduled to play April 20 in Raleigh.

“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,” the band wrote on its website Monday afternoon.

The group went on to say that it has communicated with local groups and will provide them with funds “to help facilitate progress on this issue.”

North Carolina’s new LGBT law 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.

Pearl Jam said tickets bought in person can be refunded at the point of purchase. Tickets bought online and over the phone will be refunded automatically.

The list of groups canceling their North Carolina shows because of the new law keeps growing.

Earlier Monday, the rock band Boston said it was canceling its Charlotte, Raleigh and Greensboro shows because of HB2, which it called an “ugly expression of intolerance.” Bruce Springsteen, Ringo Starr and Cirque de Soleil have also canceled their North Carolina shows because they oppose HB2.

This story was originally published April 18, 2016 at 6:17 PM with the headline "Pearl Jam cancels Raleigh show because of LGBT law."