Peter Frampton Defends Shows in Mississippi, North Carolina
Peter Frampton will continue to play all his scheduled dates in Mississippi and North Carolina this summer, though he plans to no longer tour in those states until controversial anti-LGBT legislation is overturned.
“Performing live has been one of the most important opportunities I’ve been given and I am lucky to share my music with so many of my amazing, loyal and diverse fans,” Frampton tells Rolling Stone in a statement. “In light of recent legislation in North Carolina and Mississippi, I stand aside my fellow musicians Gregg Allman, Cyndi Lauper, Jimmy Buffett and many others to help overturn these absurd new laws.”
Like Frampton, Buffett, Lauper and Allman have all condemned the laws in the states that explicitly and implicitly reinforce discrimination against LGBT citizens while continuing to perform already-scheduled shows. “My band and I will uphold our commitment to play our scheduled shows there this summer and honor fans who have already purchased tickets and/or made travel plans,” Frampton says. “However, we will not play again until these laws are changed. I will be making a donation in support of the rights and protections of the LGBTQ community.”
In North Carolina, House Bill 2 was recently passed, forcing transgender people to use restrooms associated with the gender on their birth certificate. Though not explicitly targeting LGBT members, Mississippi’ Religious Freedom Act allows businesses to deny customers based on religious views or fire people from their jobs.
Laura Jane Grace also announced plans to maintain her band Against Me!’s show in Durham, NC, keeping it as “a form of protest” and a sign that “trans people are not going to be scared.”