Like many people I was pleased to see the number of companies and performers that decided to boycott North Carolina over HB2. It seemed like the only thing that Republicans bent on enshrining their prejudice into law would pay attention to was economic pressure. In the two months since the bill was signed into law, the Republican governor and legislature have remained stubbornly defiant in their support for the bill that removed legal protections for such vulnerable populations as GLBT citizens, women, and ethnic and religious minorities.
With the announcement that Maroon 5 is the latest in a series of artists, governmental agencies and businesses avoiding NC, my husband and I were having a conversation about this and he brought up a good point. Boycotting North Carolina amounts to abandoning these people to the mercy of their oppressors. Rather than pressuring the powers that be into changing or repealing the law, boycotts have hardened their resolve. Instead of sending the message to the GOP that this sort of law is unacceptable in 21st century America, we are sending the message that we are turning our backs on the very people that need our support.
I'm thinking of the kid who sees his parents say that being transgender is wrong, and then sees his cultural idols walking away, refusing to come to his state because of this. How much more powerful would the message be to this kid to show up, telling attendees that they are not alone, that there are people who see transgender, gay, and female people as deserving the rights and dignity that everyone should have. That we support them, that we will not abandon them, that we will fight with them and for them. Now this kid has a different perspective and gives him the strength to change not just his mind, but the minds of those around him.
So instead of abandoning the people of N.C. to the ugliest part of the GOP, we need to be there standing in solidarity with them. We need to say to them that we support them and will be there for them, even as their government is trying to destroy their rights.
North Carolina Workers Rights Project
Gay Straight Alliance Activism Guide for HB2
HuffPo - Avant-Garde Activism: North Carolina’s Grassroots War Against HB2
The Guardian - Musicians trade in boycotts for activism to fight North Carolina's 'bathroom bill'