Laura Jane Grace is determined to play the planned show as “trans people are not going to be scared” by “stupid laws”
April 14, 2016
Legendary musicians, including Ringo Starr, Bryan Adams and Bruce Springsteen, have recently canceled their planned concerts in North Carolina as a sign of protest against the state’s new anti-LGBT laws under the flag of “religious freedom”. But transgender singer Laura Jane Grace, the frontwoman of the band Against Me!, is not going to cancel the concert because of the new, quote, “stupid laws” (in the end, isn’t it what punk rock has always been about?) and is determined to keep to the schedule and play in Durham on May 15 .
Moreover, Against Me! are now determined to “create an event around the show” in order to demonstrate that “trans people are not going to be scared” by the new laws. Grace believes that calling off the show wouldn’t have as much impact as actually playing the show. She claims that visibility is more important as a sign of solidarity with the transgender people in North Carolina: “They live here. They pay taxes. They are prisoners to it,” she underlines.
Commenting on other musicians’ show cancellations in North Caroline, she says: “Bryan Adams and Bruce Springsteen aren’t transgender. For them to say, ‘I think this bill is messed up and I’m not going to go here and be part of the state,’ that seems like the effort of an ally, which is really commendable.“
Here is what Grace told about her intentions in the recent interview with BuzzFeed:
“I’m going to create an event around the show as a form of protest to say that despite whatever stupid laws they enact, trans people are not going to be scared. They are not going to go away. I think the real danger with HB2 is that it creates a target on transgender people specifically. When you feel targeted as a trans person, the natural inclination is to go into hiding. But visibility is more important than ever; to go there and have the platform of a stage to stand on and speak your mind and represent yourself.”
What is HB2 bill basically? And why has it led to multiple show cancellations and protests? The official name of the controversial law, also known as “bathroom bill”, is Public Facilities Privacy and Security Act. The law prescribes transgender people to use restrooms associated with their gender, as stated in their birth certificate. It also enacts other limitations of LGBT community’s rights within the workplace.
North Carolina’s new bill is mirrored in some other US states, like Mississippi and Indiana, and is proclaimed defence of “religious freedom.” In North Carolina, the law has already resulted in a massive backlash from many of the state’s employers, reports Rolling Stone. Against Me! will allow North Carolina LGBT organizations to set up information tables at the Durham concert. The frontwoman also plans to address LGBT rights during the show, as well as encourage trans individuals to use gender-neutral bathrooms at the venue.
What do you think of Laura Jane Grace’s plan? Do you agree that playing the show in North Carolina is more effective as a form of protest than calling it off?
