The Indigo Girls are waging war against sexual discrimination in Irmo, S.C., where a high school principal on Wednesday canceled a May 7 show by the group because of their homosexuality. |

Responding to complaints leveled by approximately 40 parents who felt the folk rock duo should not play during a free school assembly, Irmo High School Principal Gerald Witt axed the show much to the dismay of many students and teachers. Following the announcement, Indigo Girl Emily Saliers issued a statement blasting the close-minded minority in Irmo and promised to play a show there regardless of their objections.

"Despite this particular cancellation, we will play in Columbia, S.C. and we'd like to thank the people there and elsewhere who support our collective message of respect and justice for all human beings," Saliers said.

The Grammy-winning duo plans to perform at an alternative venue in Irma next Thursday afternoon when students of the high school can attend on their own time. "They're going to play in someone's house if they have to, but they will play," Lisa Markowitz, the band's publicist at Epic Records, told JAMTV on Thursday.

Originally slated as the last concert in a string of high school and college shows, the Irma High School event was organized in part by the school newspaper, The Stinger. Editor-in-chief of the paper, Jennifer Barnhard, told JAMTV on Thursday that students and teachers are up in arms over the decision. Some of the teenagers are organizing a walk-out for next Thursday and signing a petition, while the faculty is planning to wear pink T-shirts in protest.

"Teachers preach to their students that they should be open-minded in this society, and then this close-minded, ignorant decision comes along and negates everything that they have stood for," Barnhard said. "What gives a parent the right to define our cultural education?"

Principal Witt told The State newspaper on Wednesday that parents in the conservative Southern town objected to the open lesbian lifestyle of Saliers and Amy Ray.

"Homophobia permeates the surface, especially in many high school settings for gay and lesbian students," Tracey Conaty, communications director for the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, told JAMTV on Thursday. "The school's action was bigoted and intolerant. It underscores why the Indigo Girls' message is so important -- they are role models to people trying to be sincere and honest."

The Indigo Girls were scheduled to play a 30-minute show followed by a question-and-answer session during a school rally. Irma High School policy states that students may attend study hall instead of rallies if they wish, Karen Flowers, advisor to The Stinger, told JAMTV on Thursday.

Since the cancellation was announced, the 1,800-student school has found itself the target of national scorn and ridicule.

"This morning the bashing really started against Irma faculty and students," Flowers said. "The students are very concerned that this decision will reflect badly on Irma. They feel that music is music, and the lifestyle of the group is not a question."

The Indigo Girls are slated to play three high schools in Tennessee before the proposed rescheduled Irma show.

Hometown favorites Hootie and the Blowfish have risen to the group's defense, saying they will do whatever they can to help reschedule the event. As The State reported on Thursday, Hootie manager Rusty Harmon said, "The Indigo Girls r