Duran Duran has released a last minute statement on their website saying that they’ll go ahead with a performance in North Carolina this weekend and “push” for repeal of HB2

With respect to the current storm which is howling through this State, we considered cancelling our show on Saturday, but decided to go ahead, both for the sake of our fans and to support those in North Carolina who feel as strongly as we do about this issue. We see this as an opportunity to make the following statement.

Yes here it is again, just plain old fashioned prejudice, fear and oppression, the same old kind that’s blighted the human race, in varying degrees, for all of its history. Duran Duran is opposed to bigotry and discrimination in all of its ugly forms, and so it follows that we are opposed to the basic premise of HB2. We support the rights of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender community, to have equal opportunities. We support their rights to live free, happy, fulfilled lives. If you live in this State and feel the same way, we urge you to register, so that you can vote; so that your voice can be heard. We urge you to sign this petition which will be presented at the General Assembly meeting on April 25th in North Carolina. You have the power to repeal this outdated and cruel legislation.

Sign up forms for the petition and information about HB2 and how to repeal it will be available at the show on Saturday night – so go visit the teams manning the Equality NC stalls that will be on site.

Our thanks to both Equality NC (www.equalitync.org) and NC Needs You (a new organization dedicated to connecting performers with likeminded nonprofits in the state battling against HB2) for their support and education on this issue. And, like us, please support Time Out Youth (http://www.timeoutyouth.org/), who will also be at the show and do incredible work with LGBT youth in the area.

– Simon, Nick, John & Roger

“For the sake of our fans”?

The right thing to do is cancel. Actions speak louder than words and musical performers who support the repeal of HB2 need to get on the same page.

Canceling makes a statement and hurts the economy of the North Carolina which will then pressure politicians to repeal it.  The performers donating “profits” from their converts to EqualityNC, while a noble gesture does nothing more than gives that organization more money which was never the issue with fighting HB2 in the first place and will have little effect. 

But Duran Duran takes the cake. We’ll still play and get paid. But come spend money and  sign a fucking petition?

What the fuck?

Its either greed or they are incredibly fucking cheap and stupid.