With the nation’s current polarizing Presidential election and heated cultural climate, celebrities have increasingly been using their voices to do more than recite a monologue or belt out a chart topping tune. One group of rock stars who have consistently made use of their celebrity-induced platform for good, Slipknot, have once again spoken out against a social injustice.
Set to perform in Charlotte, North Carolina this Tuesday night, the heavy metal band released a statement the day prior denouncing the state’s controversial HB2 “Bathroom Bill.” What has been deemed by many as a violation of the Civil Rights Act, amongst others essentially denies the LGBTQIA community certain inalienable rights. What is more officially titled the Public Facilities Privacy & Security Act has eliminated anti-discrimination policies for those that are gay, bisexual, genderqueer, transgender and intersex. It also dictated that within government buildings, individuals may only use the restroom that pertains to their gender identity as stated by their birth certificate.
Opponents of the bill regale it as one of the most anti-LGBT pieces of legislation in America, sparking a viral uproar. A slew of other musicians have declined to perform in the southern state as retaliation against the unjust act – Bruce Springsteen, Ringo Starr, Nick Jonas and Demi Lovato and Maroon 5 are just a few big names on this extensive list. However, others, like Against Me!, Cyndi Lauper and now Slipknot, have openly condemned the wrongful doctrines of HB2, but still intend to play. “When we started this tour, we had reservations about playing in North Carolina because of a law recently passed there called HB2. The law halts the rights of LGBTQ people, doesn’t allow for cities to pass a living wage for the working class. We believe that regardless of who you are, or what you believe in this country – and in our own metal community – that everyone should be given access to equal opportunities they need to succeed. This law flies in the face of those values.”
It is not in spite of this position, but rather as a response to it, that Slipknot has decided to not cancel the performance feeling they can inspire more advocacy against HB2 within the belly of the beast itself. They asserted, “We believe that regardless of who you are, or who you love, you shouldn’t have to face hatred at home or in your community. Our fans in North Carolina deserve better, so we decided not to cancel,” the band added. “We don’t care where you pee – just please flush. It’s pretty simple, really.”
During their time in the Tar Heel State, Slipknot will be partnering with Equality NC, a North Carolina based LGBTQIA advocacy group. With this collaboration, they hope to encourage their fans to get out and vote, likely not for a certain prior reality TV star, and use their own voices to speak against “The Bathroom Bill.”
Slipknot declared, “We’re coming to North Carolina to show our fans that they can make the difference needed to repeal this law and return their state to a place that welcomes everyone and values differences.”
