Letter writer: Band takes responsible approach to HB2

Graphic by Lori Deaton

[On] Friday, June 10, my children and I had the pleasure of attending a concert at the PNC Music Pavilion in Charlotte. The group that performed was Dead & Company, a band that consists of the remaining members of the Grateful Dead, along with some other musicians that are touring with them this summer.

Instead of canceling their show, as many musicians have done in opposition to House Bill 2, [the band] took a different approach. They donated 100 percent of special Rainbow T-shirt and sticker sales to a local LGBT organization …

They also donated $100,000 from the show’s revenue to The Human Rights Campaign and Equality North Carolina. This generosity is an example that other musicians should follow when considering whether to perform in North Carolina.

Instead of disappointing fans and costing many folks their income that depends on revenue from concerts in our state, [Dead & Company] provided needed funds for us to battle inequality within North Carolina.

The band also provided a “Participation Row” social action area, where fighting discrimination and encouraging voter registration activities was emphasized. For a more complete explanation, you may visit http://avl.mx/2p8

Additionally, the show was great!

— Larry Nestler
Asheville

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5 thoughts on “Letter writer: Band takes responsible approach to HB2

  1. boatrocker

    That’s awesome for them to do that, but we do realize that part of the idea of a boycott is the idea of sacrifice by doing without an essential or semi essential service in order to right a wrong. I still applaud the Boss for boycotting his show. Imagine applying the same ‘but this hurts everyone’ argument to say Greensboro lunch counters or busses in AL back in the day. Still, good on them.

  2. The Real World

    I agree that this was a better and smarter way for a band or any enterprise to handle a business commitment in NC. The knee-jerk reactionary choices so many entertainers and business entities made right after all of that lunacy just goes to show that our country continues with the blind leading the blind and fools following fools.

    Some of the entertainers that cancelled are, somehow, okay with performing in Middle Eastern countries while punishing their NC fans and reneging on contracts. Some of the multi-national companies who cancelled business here also operate in countries with horrible human right records. Hypocritical much?

    Then we have Dead & Company, who clearly didn’t do much homework either. If they had, they would have realized that “Human Rights Campaign” has a very checkered history. Many, many people (including transgenders) take serious issue with their mission, goals and tactics. They’re a special interest lobbying group in DC who targeted NC for this smear job that they engineered from start to finish. Beginning with stacking the Charlotte City Council to get this thing kicked off. And, no doubt, it was they who “lobbied” all of those who cancelled business here. How brilliant of Maroon 5 and others…. caving-in to scheming lobbyists — what a smart move.

    Last but not least, the co-founder of “Human Rights Campaign” is a real treasure. He was arrested on sodomizing a 15 year old boy a couple of years ago (apparently not the first time). http://www.cnn.com/2014/11/23/politics/terry-bean-sex-abuse-charges/ And, roll the drums, pls…..he’s a big Obama fundraiser. It’s very cozy, isn’t it? As in, notice how quickly the Dept of Justice jumped in on this circus? Because it was all planned in elaborate detail from soup to nuts and with this outcome intended. To make NC the whipping child of a non-existent problem.

    People in this state ought to be very angry about this but, best I can tell, they’re clueless and are beholden to whatever the media tells them to believe. Go ahead and do some internet research on any aspect I mentioned, you’ll find plenty to back up what I put forth.

    • Thanks for the great comment. I am, in fact, a big supporter of HB2. It is good law and it’s here to stay; media interest, notwithstanding. Thank you, General Assembly, for being the adults.

      • boatrocker

        How’s the fallout from NC’s HB2 treating you deep in the heart of Texas?

  3. bsummers

    Instead of disappointing fans and costing many folks their income…

    There are different ways to oppose HB2. I support those that chose to cancel their performances – that act creates headlines and reminds people of the broader negative economic impact to North Carolina. How many job-creating endeavors have been cancelled without fanfare because of HB2? “Oh, maybe we won’t move our company there after all…”

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