Boston (the Band) Cancels North Carolina Shows to Protest LGBT Law

From left: Tom Scholz, Tracy Ferrie, Jeff Neal, Tommy DeCarlo, Beth Cohen, Gary Pihl. / Photo by Kamal Asar Provided

Legendary rock group Boston has joined the growing number of bands that are canceling concerts in North Carolina to protest the state’s controversial, new LGBT law.

Guitarist Tom Scholz announced via the group’s Facebook page on Monday that the group has canceled its series of May shows around the state.

“It is with deep regret, that I must announce the cancellation of our upcoming shows on May 4, 5, and 6 in Charlotte, Greensboro, and Raleigh in order to raise awareness, and protest in the strongest terms, the recent passage of HB2, the so called ‘North Carolina bathroom law,'” Scholz wrote in the post. “HB2 has the appearance of an oppressive discriminatory law against a small minority, who already have to deal with a narrow-minded world regarding issues beyond their control which they did nothing to bring upon themselves.”

“Hopefully the sacrifices we are all making here will inspire people to do the right thing in the future,” He added. “We look forward to the day that the state government of North Carolina will come to its senses and treat all individuals with equal freedom in their pursuit of happiness here in the United States.”

Boston isn’t the only band that announced cancelations of shows in North Carolina on Monday.

Pearl Jam issued a statement saying that it has pulled the plug on a scheduled performance at PNC Arena in Raleigh on Wednesday, April 20. Pearl Jam called the law “a despicable piece of legislation that encourages discrimination against an entire group of American citizens,” in a post on the band’s website.

Check out the full Facebook post by Scholz below.