Pearl Jam Cancels 4/20 Raleigh, NC Concert in Opposition to HB2; Official Band Statement

foxkids4

....too bad a second show in SC couldn't happen and the NC ticket holders could be allowed entry with their tix? The venue's free!

SVRDhand13

EV just addressed he issue in VA. Hopefully a transcript can be released soon. Don't want to paraphrase and or words in his mouth.

PJ_Soul

RBKitaj said:

Long time Pearl Jam fan but new here so I apologize if I make a few missteps. Glad that the North Carolina cancellation has led to a spirited conversation. As the parent of a transgender kid, I am touched deeply by Pearl Jam's actions. Transgender folk - whom the hateful #HB2 law in North Carolina use in a cynical fear mongering travesty of justice - are at extreme risk without new laws putting pressure on them. These terrible new laws put an incredible amount of strain upon an already oppressed group. For those just learning about the topic - Zach Stafford in The Guardian reports that,"An analysis of data compiled by the National Transgender Discrimination Survey last month shows that when young people are denied access to a restroom that aligns with their gender identity, their rates of suicide go up.

Translation: not allowing trans youth to use a bathroom only perpetuates feelings of isolation or depression that lead 41% of transgender people to attempt kill themselves at some point in their lives, compared to the 4.6% in the general population.

This finding should be at the forefront of everyone’s minds as this bill takes effect in North Carolina, and as other proposed legislation moves forward in states like Kansas, where officials have proposed a bill that would allow someone to sue a public school if they saw a transgender person in a bathroom that didn’t match their sex assigned at birth. (Who is going to be checking people’s genitals if this passes? And isn’t that assault?)

Beyond the research, suicide in North Carolina is a very personal topic for many activists and leaders I have spoken to over years reporting on LGBT violence in the state, where sources have told me that this is one of the biggest concerns they see in their community daily.

Since 2014, the city of Charlotte, which passed the original LGBT non-discrimination ordinance that sparked this new anti-trans bill, has had at least four trans youths take their own lives. One of them was a local homecoming king."
More at: http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/mar/24/north-carolina-anti-transgender-bathroom-law-dangerous-discrimination

Pearl Jam has gone to bat for my kid and others in the LGBT community.
And it is not just a message about North Carolina. 100+ anti-LGBT bills are pending in the United States: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/lgbt-state-bills-discrimination_us_570ff4f2e4b0060ccda2a7a9

Thanks for reading my post.

Wonderful post.

SVRDhand13

I disagree with their decision to cancel but I'm happy they are passionate and are also sick of stupid politicians.

DR295987

choop said:

DR295987 said:

Mike D88 said:

choop said:

DR295987 said:

choop said:

DPrival78 said:

choop said:

If you get angry you can't go see a band for the 10th, 30th, whatever time, just imagine how angry people must get when they can be denied rights because of their sexual orientation.

and pj cancelling this show is going to change that?

maybe, definitely worth a shot in my opinion, and apparently the bands opinion.

there is loss of revenue. no beers sold. no tax on the profit from all the pearl jam merch that you all go nuts for. maybe some young kid goes canvassing on the issue now, etc.

so many ways this can make an impact. i mean it's not going to make them change the law overnight, but they've added their voice. they don't owe anyone a show.

no since I'm already here I'll take that money and spend it elsewhere in NC... the state isn't out a dime in lost revenue....

you will not spend as much as 14,000 people drinking beer and buying t-shirts though.

And hotel rooms, taxis, Ubers, rental cars...

if you think they won't spend the money elsewhere youre a fool...hello most of them live in NC.. theyll just spend it on something else...smh at the level of stupidity here

Ok but you understand now that this money was not spent at a Pearl Jam concert though, right.

The sheer amount of bigotry, lack of compassion, failure to grasp economics, and utter selfishness in this thread is mind blowing.

Ok so since you're so on board with this how about YOU cover my expenses? easy to talk when you aren't out anything... so put your money where your mouth is..

JF657419

I'm confused... didn't Pearl Jam just play in Chile a few months ago? Isn't abortion illegal there? Like 100% illegal, even in rape cases? Aren't there numerous other human rights concerns there and in the other countries they played? Sounds like selective/fashionable outrage.

kclemons

Much respect to Pearl Jam.

ComeToTX

jfayiii said:

I'm confused... didn't Pearl Jam just play in Chile a few months ago? Isn't abortion illegal there? Like 100% illegal, even in rape cases? Aren't there numerous other human rights concerns there and in the other countries they played? Sounds like selective/fashionable outrage.

Did Bruce play there though?

AlaG

jfayiii said:

I'm confused... didn't Pearl Jam just play in Chile a few months ago? Isn't abortion illegal there? Like 100% illegal, even in rape cases? Aren't there numerous other human rights concerns there and in the other countries they played? Sounds like selective/fashionable outrage.

I think they're inspired by the fact other artists are doing it in NC and making a noticeable impact. Springsteen is indeed leading the charge here but I don't see that as a negative.

EvieVedder

The letter they posted ended with, "With immense gratitude for your understanding."
I think we should honor that statement and understand that this had to be done. I was so bummed when Ed cancelled Vegas a few years back for that arm injury. I had my flight and expenses all paid for. It sucked! But, life went on. Shit happens. This boycott is so necessary. Transgender folks just want to pee without feeling threatened or uncomfortable. It really is a basic human right. My 13 year old trans daughter used to hold her bladder for hours just to avoid going into a men's room if we were out. Now that she "passes" for a girl, she uses the ladies room and no one bats an eyelash. No harm done. If cancelling a show can bring any attention to an important cause, then it should be done. Obviously PJ feels strong enough about this issue to stand up.

joseph33

bootlegger10 said:

They waited until two days before the show to announce. What reason would that be other than a screw you to the fans? They could have done this a week ago. But they wanted to screw over their traveling fans apparently.

It was only the other day Bruce called Ed and asked if he would support his opposition by cancelling the way he did last week,lol. Confirmation that one is of the same.

18th Pale Descendant

Ok so since you're so on board with this how about YOU cover my expenses? easy to talk when you aren't out anything... so put your money where your mouth is..

Seriously. The only opinions I care to hear regarding the Raleigh show cancellation are from the Pearl Jam organization or from ticket-holders to the show.

Of course most of us who had been planning for months to attend the Raleigh show (and who passed on the opportunity to attend other tour stops) are upset by the last-minute cancellation, and of course our "loss" in the grand scheme amounts to a hill of beans, to paraphrase Bogey.

We're allowed to be upset and feel aggrieved, just as you're free to your sanctimony. Forgive us for not having the foresight to live one state north or south or North Carolina.

fall by the wayside

Sprunkn7 said:

All i have to say is true colors coming out here tonight. Holy crap.

Truer words never spoken.

Vedd Hedd

I dont think people are saying you should be happy the concert is cancelled.

You are allowed to feel upset.

But you are not allowed to misunderstand why they did it, and what this law actually does. (Not that you did that)

jeffwalsh

BS44325 said:

I just don't get why a transgendered man would want to use the ladies' room...those ladies' room lines are waaaaay to long...especially at concerts

Technically, a trans man would want to use the men's room, a trans woman would want to use the ladies' room.

jeffwalsh

18th Pale Descendant said:

The only opinions I care to hear regarding the Raleigh show cancellation are from the Pearl Jam organization or from ticket-holders to the show.

Phew! Good thing I did have tickets to Raleigh then... and didn't book a hotel yet hoping this would happen.

OfficerPJ

I have been struggling all night to try to find the way I feel about this and how to express it. This is something that is beyond disappointing and my first reaction was straight anger. I don't agree with this and waiting until the last minute hurts your truest fans the most. I know in the big picture that this is just a concert by some rock group, but to some of us it is more. Pearl Jam is my "thing". I don't go out drinking, or hunting, and anything else really. For the most part I just go to work, take care of my family, and all the other little things that adults do. This was always my splurge or something to look forward to that was kind of a reward to get through the monotony of everyday life. Besides the nonrefundable plane tickets, hotels, rental car, time off work, and various travel expenses there are other aspects that don't necessarily have a monetary value. Things such as, arranging help with your kids, using the saved up " kitchen passes" from the wife, spending your turn for help from the grandparents, arranging rides to and from the airport, and so on. These are things I am sure the band did not consider. Much of this trip was a Christmas gift and it just hurts that the same excitement is some how gone. It seems dumb that this would bring these feelings, but when it is something that you have been so passionate about for so many years, you just start to question it all. I could not even listen to their music tonight and that is something that I did not expect.

StAmsar20

In a perfect scenario a peaceful protest should have been organized at the Raleigh courthouse or major public building hours before the concert. What better of a way to draw attention to this then by having Pearl Jam join the public and those affected by this bill and those that paid hundreds if not more to come see them play, protest peacefully prior to the show and get the media involved to let them see that they support the people, not the state. Then go put on a kick-ass show which is now fueled by public out cry against this bill and for PJ to show support for their fans and the people affected. But this is not a perfect world. I feel horrible for those who paid so much and lost their opportunity to see them play. Raleigh was going to be my first choice for the lottery but I decided to take my wife on a trip to Tampa.

bootlegger10

fall by the wayside said:

Sprunkn7 said:

All i have to say is true colors coming out here tonight. Holy crap.

Truer words never spoken.

You mean disrespecting your fans is something that should be applauded. You mean 5 people deciding their views and opinions are more important than 15,000 peoples' views should be applauded?

The anger in this thread is not about the law but the blatant disrespect and jesus complex shown by the band in their late decision making. They are extremely fortunate they have a monopoly on Pearl Jam music.

I for one couldn't make the decision to invite people to my concert and wait until the very last minute to cancel on them so they had no chance to get refunds on travel.

fall by the wayside

DR295987 said:

fall by the wayside said:

Proud to be a fan of this band today. Ashamed to be a part of this fan base. I get it. I would be upset too. We all look so forward to these shows. But the selfishness and childishness is ridiculous. The band is not punishing you. You are collateral damage. It sucks. It's just that the band thinks the civil rights of others are more important than your concert. End story. It's also unfortunate to see tough life lessons being learned about purchasing non-refundable rooms and flights to an event that can very much be cancelled. Hopefully this law gets fixed and someday they come back and make everyone happy.

the band is punishing me yo the tune of about $1000 in travel costs no to mention a weeks worth if vacation time... calling it collateral damage is disingenuous at best...but hey you're not out the money because of a stupid law you had nothing to do with

This is the part about tough life lessons I was talking about. If you can't afford to gamble money and vacation time then don't. Concerts can be cancelled for any reason and on a lot less notice than this. I would be disappointed to no end if this happened to me but I wouldn't be behaving like a petulant child and pretending that the band did this just to fuck their fans over.