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Dolly Parton on North Carolina’s HB2: ‘I don’t like to get caught up in controversial issues’
Dolly Parton, an outspoken supporter of LGBT equality in recent years, still plans to kick off her 2016 concert tour in Greensboro, North Carolina despite the state’s controversial HB2 law.
‘I have no plans to cancel the show,’ Parton said during a conference call earlier today with reporters about the tour.
‘I believe that everybody ought to be treated with respect, but I feel we will serve better from the stage,’ she added. ‘I don’t like to get caught up in controversial issues. I will address whatever I need to from the stage.’
HB2 bans all local LGBT rights ordinances in the state. It was pushed forward to override an ordinance in Charlotte that would have allowed transgender people to use the bathroom of their gender identification.
Artists including Boston, Pearl Jam, Bruce Springsteen, Ringo Starr, Nick Jonas, Demi Lovato and Blue Man Group have called off gigs in the Tar Heel State.
Cyndi Lauper, Joel McHale, and Mumford & Sons performed (or will in the future), promising to donate funds to local LGBT organizations.
Comments
(All comments are reviewed before being published, and I review submissions several times per day.)
FAEN says:
Personally disappointed. Expected better from Dolly.
K. Martinez says:
@FAEN – What would you expect her to do? She’s probably got friends and fans on both sides of the fence. Everyone has their own road to follow and tries to navigate the best way then can. At least allow them that. I believe that in her heart, Dolly is a good person.
FAEN says:
@K Martinez-I have no doubt that Dolly is a good person. I don’t believe I suggested that in my previous comment. As someone who lives in NC I expect her and every other artist to boycott my state. Period.
The sad fact is if this law required African American, Latino’s, Jews, Muslims or any other minority to use a separate bathroom I can guarantee you any decent artist wouldn’t come near this state but since it’s only about pesky trans Americans it’s simply viewed as ‘controversial’.