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

I can honestly say I don't think they would have cancelled had Bruce not. It reeks of being sheep to their elder statesmen; Bruce, Neil, etc. Take your own stand. this decision, IMO, was the lazy way of doing it. get creative. move the show to a public park and play acoustic for free and hand out signs and invite the press and politicians who support the repeal of the law. but just not showing up is weak.

The only argument that would have convinced me in Pearl Jam's sincerity is Roskilde. Had Ed brought it up in his speech or the letter, I would totally understand their decision.

But, unfortunately, they (Ed mostly) just couldn't help following Springsteen's demarche.

jeffwalsh said:

fireman20 said:

What ever it's a free country but seems hypocritical when they play around the world where human rights really don't exist.

Their North Korean bootleg is one of their best shows ever, I have to admit.

Ahh..nothing like a little levity to cut the tension. Great timing. No disrespect to anybody's opinion but this was a well-timed response.

well done, boys! so proud of you. feel sorry for those of you who had planned on going

This issue isn't exactly the Iraq War. It involves a small group of people in one state. Anything in the state law that is perceived to allow discrimination against gay people is already over-ridden by federal court rulings. Those parts of it will get over-turned by the courts.

The only non-litigated issue is whether a state can ban men with penises from using women's bathrooms. The law only bans it in public restrooms -- businesses are free to set their own rules. Should men who claim to "identify as a woman" be allowed in women's bathrooms? That is the question.

Unless someone can come up with a system that helps women to differentiate between a likely harmless transgender and a sex offender wearing a dress, this should not be permitted. There are far more sexual assaults on women then there are transgender men. Laws that elevate the emotional comfort of a relative few over the physical safety of a large group of vulnerable people are dangerous. It's one thing to protest big issues that affect many Americans, but bathroom policies are not worthy of a political boycott.

thenuzzler said:

The only argument that would have convinced me in Pearl Jam's sincerity is Roskilde. Had Ed brought it up in his speech or the letter, I would totally understand their decision.

But, unfortunately, they (Ed mostly) just couldn't help following Springsteen's demarche.

They have to call back to a horrific tragedy of a totally different nature to convince you that they give a shit? What? Cancelling a show is a very sincere thing to do.

bcoker said:

This issue isn't exactly the Iraq War. It involves a small group of people in one state. Anything in the state law that is perceived to allow discrimination against gay people is already over-ridden by federal court rulings. Those parts of it will get over-turned by the courts.

The only non-litigated issue is whether a state can ban men with penises from using women's bathrooms. The law only bans it in public restrooms -- businesses are free to set their own rules. Should men who claim to "identify as a woman" be allowed in women's bathrooms? That is the question.

Unless someone can come up with a system that helps women to differentiate between a likely harmless transgender and a sex offender wearing a dress, this should not be permitted. There are far more sexual assaults on women then there are transgender men. Laws that elevate the emotional comfort of a relative few over the physical safety of a large group of vulnerable people are dangerous. It's one thing to protest big issues that affect many Americans, but bathroom policies are not worthy of a political boycott.

So I think it was completely short sided and insincere for PJ to cancel but this not the only issue with the law. The bill opens the door to private businesses to refuse service for being gay. A restaurant could have a sign that says no gays allowed or kick you out for being gay. And the gay person would not be able to sue. There are similar problems in terms of being hired or fired for a job. The people who are truly against HB2 bill don't look at it as a bathroom bill. The proponents have been painting it as a bathroom bill because it makes it a smaller issue. But what I find funny is all these PJ fans who are applauding PJ and referring to the bathroom issue as the main problem with the bill. Sure, bathrooms are part of it but its only one part and not the most overreaching part. There are other issues related to state law over city ordinances and things like whether a city can raise the minimum wage. I'm against the bill big time and fighting to change it....but PJ took the cowards route.

bcoker said:

This issue isn't exactly the Iraq War. It involves a small group of people in one state. Anything in the state law that is perceived to allow discrimination against gay people is already over-ridden by federal court rulings. Those parts of it will get over-turned by the courts.

The only non-litigated issue is whether a state can ban men with penises from using women's bathrooms. The law only bans it in public restrooms -- businesses are free to set their own rules. Should men who claim to "identify as a woman" be allowed in women's bathrooms? That is the question.

Unless someone can come up with a system that helps women to differentiate between a likely harmless transgender and a sex offender wearing a dress, this should not be permitted. There are far more sexual assaults on women then there are transgender men. Laws that elevate the emotional comfort of a relative few over the physical safety of a large group of vulnerable people are dangerous. It's one thing to protest big issues that affect many Americans, but bathroom policies are not worthy of a political boycott.

This will be an unpopular post, but it's well constructed.

Man, all I can imagine in how bummed the fans are that dropped a lot of money. I work in a bike shop in Alaska, so my wages aren't the greatest. Haha. If the canceled MSG I'd be out 500 on my plane, 350 on my room, and 188 on my tickets.
I totally get why people are bummed. I hope pearl jam reads all of this and does something great for the fans that missed out. I'm Nuteral when it comes to politics and am open minded to all views. Remember when democrats and republics could be friends?

They still can. It's a great thing!