Bryan Adams refuses to play in Mississippi over anti-LGBT law

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Press Trust of India New York
Last Updated : Apr 11 2016 | 5:57 PM IST
Pop star Bryan Adams has cancelled a concert scheduled for April 14 in Mississippi, US, to protest a new state law that critics describe as discriminatory.
Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant last week signed a controversial "religious freedom" bill that critics and business interests in the state say is discriminatory against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.
Taking to his Instagram post, Adams, 56, announced the cancellation of his performance, reported Fox News.
"Mississippi has passed anti-LGBT 'Religious Liberty' bill 1523. I find it incomprehensible that LGBT citizens are being discriminated against in the state of Mississippi.
"I cannot in good conscience perform in a State where certain people are being denied their civil rights due to their sexual orientation. Therefore I'm cancelling my 14 April show at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum. Using my voice I stand in solidarity with all my LGBT friends to repeal this extremely discriminatory bill," he wrote.
Adams added he hopes the state will "right itself" soon.
"Hopefully Mississippi will right itself and I can come back and perform for all of my many fans. I look forward to that day. Stop1523," the post read.
Bryant had said he signed the bill into law "to protect sincerely held religious beliefs and moral convictions of individuals, organisations and private associations from discriminatory action by state government."
Mississippi's law is part of a wave of legislation seen as "anti gay" that has prompted corporations and individuals to use their economic muscle in protest.
Bruce Springsteen, for example, has cancelled a show in North Carolina to stand in "solidarity" with those protesting a similar law in that state.
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First Published: Apr 11 2016 | 5:57 PM IST

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