Selena Gomez aims to 'defeat discrimination' with North Carolina concert
Singer Selena Gomez has chosen to move forward with her North Carolina concert despite the state's controversial anti-LGBT law.
Several performers, including Selena's pals Demi Lovato and Nick Jonas, have decided not to put on shows in the state to protest the House Bill 2 Public Facilities Privacy and Security Act. The legislation, also known as 'HB2' or the 'bathroom bill', was signed into law by politicians earlier this year (16), forcing all transgender people to use gender-specific public restrooms.
Selena's Revival Tour will touch down in Charlotte, North Carolina
on 7 June (16), and after much consideration, she has decided to
proceed with the performance.
"I am very fortunate to have grown up in a home where I learned
from an early age that everyone should be treated equally," she
explains in a statement to Billboard.com. "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."
Equality North Carolina is a charity aimed at improving the lives
and protecting the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender
(LGBT) people in the state.
In addition to making a considerable donation to the philanthropic
organisation, Selena has also ensured the 'bathroom bill' policy
will not be enforced for concertgoers who attend the show, which is
being held at Charlotte's Time Warner Cable Arena.
"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 continues. "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."