Bryan Adams cancels Mississippi concert, citing new anti-gay law

Bryan Adams isn&#039;t playing a Mississippi show because of its anti-gay bill — (Image credit: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images))

On Sunday night, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band did not play their scheduled concert in Greensboro, North Carolina, because of the state's new anti-LGBT law. "Some things are more important than a rock show," Springsteen wrote on Friday, explaining why he canceled the show, "and this fight against prejudice and bigotry — which is happening as I write — is one of them." Also on Sunday night, Bryan Adams announced that he has pulled the plug on a show in Biloxi on Thursday, citing Mississippi's new "religious liberty" law.

"I find it incomprehensible that LGBT citizens are being discriminated against in the state of Mississippi," Adams explained. "I cannot in good conscience perform in a state where certain people are being denied their civil rights due to their sexual orientation." He said that if Mississippi repeals the "extremely discriminatory" law, he "can come back and perform for all of my many fans. I look forward to that day." Reaction to each cancelation was mixed — and it's hard to imagine more aren't coming — but if there were no risk of losing fans, it wouldn't be taking a stand.

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.