North Carolina’s controversial Public Facilities Privacy and Security Act (HB2) requires people to use the designated bathroom of the sex assigned on their birth certificate. Several artists and companies have boycotted North Carolina in a show of support for the LGBTQ community that this bill alienates. Selena Gomez, who kicked off her Revival tour last month, is scheduled to play at the Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte tonight. After weighing her options, she decided to move forward with the concert but is still sending a message of support to the LGBTQ community. Not only did she confirm that the arena has gender neutral facilities, Selena will donate a portion of the concert’s proceeds to Equality North Carolina to assist in defeating HB2.
Selena Gomez isn’t canceling her upcoming Tuesday, June 7, show in North Carolina, but she’s taking a stand against the “bathroom bill” in a different way.
“I am fortunate to have grown up in a home where I learned from an early age that everyone should be treated equally,” the 23-year-old pop star said in a statement to Billboard. “I went back and forth on whether I should cancel my concert in North Carolina and ultimately I think what is right for me is to move forward with my show and donate a portion of the proceeds to Equality North Carolina and their effort to defeat this act of discrimination.”
Gomez added that she and her team have done everything they can to ensure that they are promoting the anti-HB2 sentiments that so many of her fellow musicians have already espoused.
“I’ve been reassured the venue I will be performing in has gender neutral bathrooms as I want everyone coming to my show to be welcomed,” she continued. “I feel like my generation is the most progressive one yet and believe there will be a day soon when laws like HB2 won’t even be a consideration.”
Joel McHale also donated proceeds from his scheduled performance to Durham’s LGBTQ Center as opposed to canceling his show. I believe Selena considered her decision carefully and took the action she felt would send a message. I appreciate that her public statement included the fact that she ensured the venue had gender-neutral bathrooms.
I want to acknowledge the commenters from North Carolina who have assured us that the archaic views behind HB2 and the governor that passed it do not represent everyone in the state; I believe you and feel your pain. However, I do want to see this bill struck down and support all forms of opposition to it; be it boycotts like Brice Springsteen’s or statements like Selena and Joel’s. Pressure grows from corporations as companies like PayPal and Hyatt and celebrities make good on their promise to pull out of NC. Financial institutions continue to fight the bill on their end. If the Human Rights Campaign can get the FAA to cut airport grants, this discriminatory bill might finally die on the vine, as it should.
Photo Credit: Fame/Flynet Photos
I can’t believe Selena Gomez can attract a crowd to hear her sing. Aside from that, though, she is calling attention to the cause and donating money. No shade from me.
Jen: Selena’s people are middle school girls. As the official chauffeur of a gaggle of them, I can tell you they spoke of nothing else for a month when Selena came to town.
I think a boycott is a much better option than a performance and a donation. Performing and donating doesn’t have an economic impact on the state. It’s business as usual for fans and for her, with even a little more attention thrown her way. It’s better than nothing, I suppose.
Agreed. The boycott is much more powerful because it deprives the state, and therefore the Governor, of money. I hope that other artists don’t follow suit.
Unfortunately, single concerts don’t have a significant impact on state revenues.
The North Carolina law was passed in response to a Charlotte ordinance banning discrimination against LGTBQ people. The law is opposed by a majority of North Carolinians and does not represent the will of the people. The law will be undone, it’s just a matter of time.
Thank you, Megan. I thought the same- Charlotte tried to pass an ordinance for equality and the state legislature responded with HB-2. It makes sense to come to Charlotte.
Boycotts are having a huge impact on sound and light technicians, security people, and caterers, all working by the hour or by the show. The economic impact is being felt by those living paycheck to paycheck, not by our arrogant governor. When shows are cancelled at the last minute, caterers are out thousands of dollars they won’t get back. And I don’t know a single venue worker who supports HB2 or the governor.
I live in NC also, and the majority SUPPORT HB2.
I’m not in favor of these boycotts because they take money out of the pockets of hardworking people who may or may not be in favor of the bill. They also deprive fans, who also may or may not be in favor of the bill. It’s throwing the baby out with the bathwater,
I thought that at first, but quickly became ok with it since hateful people would hate the support of LGBT in any form. I still prefer the boycott, but children shouldnt suffer bc adults are so ignorant.
I live in NC. Believe me, these people who boycott because of HB2 aren’t costing the state a penny. People are going to go out for their entertainment, be it a movie, a local act, or what have you. We have money to spend and we’ll spend it where we want to. I’ve never spent a penny on Selena Gomez and don’t intend to start now. Bruce Springstein, etc are the ones who lost money and fans by cancelling their NC concerts.
Weird Al is doing the same thing. (Sorry, I’m not tech savvy this early, I can’t get the link to the exact post, but it’s the one with the map of NC.) https://www.instagram.com/alfredyankovic/?hl=en
As a North Carolinian, I’m deeply ashamed of this terrible law & will be voting Pat McCroy out of office the first chance I get!! Many of my friends feel the same way. It’s not about bathrooms, it’s all about unbalanced fear & stupidity.
that law is a terrible idea, obviously, but i wonder how the hell do they want to enforce it? have someone check the birth certificate at the door of every public restroom? it’s impossible.
It is utterly ridiculous, it’s just a way to push an agenda of inequality and bigotry, and distract everyone, including the lawmakers, from working on actual problems.
I never like the boycott to be honest. And for people (outside if the state) who demand it. I always find it hypocritical. If tomorrow morning Adele got up and said, I am cancelling the leg of my american tour because I can’t in good conciseness play in a country that condones the killing of unarmed black people and denies them access to basic resources. Every single one of you would be sooooooooooooo angry, and scramble to qualify and quantify.
I would agree with Adel and say, “…see United states…that’s what you get…consequences aren’t fun are they…now i cant roll in the deep bc of a few bad seeds….”
Sorry but your point isnt a good one since not all of us are as shallow as others.
Maybe you might support her decision Kimbers, but let’s not pretend that it wouldn’t piss of plenty of (white) people who would scream “I’m not racist so why am I being punished?”. That’s Lexx’s point.
I agree with you, lexx. I could give a rat’s patoot if NC suffers economic loss, but the hypocrisy that so many have by playing in countries where LBGTQ rights aren’t just denied, they are murdered brutally. Yes, I have read the “but the U.S. should be better.” True — and it is. People aren’t being set on fire for being gay here. Women aren’t forced into sexual mutilation or stoned over adultery here. Yes, the restriction of civil rights should be protested and awareness needs to be put in place, but those who are staunchly in opposition will never waiver, but now those who could be enlightened are only going to dig their heels in further when vacuous celebrities and SJWs perpetually malign them and illustrate the height of hypocrisy (i.e. Adam Levine canceling NC and lauding playing in Russia). Again, yes, I know this isn’t Russia, but your message is weak when you claim to stand up for civil rights so much that you will penalize a state for a ridiculous bathroom bill, yet will take money from corrupt regimes.
It is just heartbreaking that this is happening, in this day and age. I know it is naive viewpoint, but gaaaaahhhh….
I don’t think it’s naive to think that grown ass people wouldnt be so hateful and ignorant. The talk about a predator dressing up as a woman to soley abuse a child or woman bc of allowing transgender into the bathroom is ridiculous. Do these same people not allow their children to go trick or treating bc of the thought of getting a razor blade in their candy? Btw who allows a 5 year old to go unattended to the bathroom? I googled how many transgender people attacked others in the bathroom and there were none. I did find born dudes attacking children in the bathroom of the same sex. Fear and prejudices definitely distract and have been used. I saw transgender ladies in the bathroom and my mom never made a fuss. She explained it simply bc i was a child and i was never traumatized. People need to mind their business in the bathroom and realize it’s gonna be ok.
It says she’s donating “a portion” of the proceeds. I’m curious as to what portion that is. 90%? 5%? Pretty big difference, but they’re all technically “a portion”.
I’ll withhold any accolades for Selena until I hear an answer on that.
Was about to write the same thing,donate all of it,if Joel Hale who earns a fraction of what she does can donate the entire proceeds so can she.
How much money does a person need,damn!
Exactly. He was very open about donating 100%. She’s got plenty of money, and those organizations fighting this need money way more.