Ringo Won’t Play N.C.

June 18 was when Ringo and his All Starr Band planned to take the stage at the Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary, N.C.  But no more.

“I’m sorry to disappoint my fans in the area, but we need to take a stand against this hatred,” Starr said.  “Spread peace and love.”

The law – HB2 – has been criticized for ordering transgender people to use restrooms designated “male” or “female” based on the gender listed on their birth certificates instead of their sexual identity today.  The legislation also makes it more difficult for transgenders to sue employers if they feel their civil rights have been violated.

On Tuesday, North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory issued an executive order that expanded state workers protecting workers from discrimination based on sexual orientation, and said he would ask the General Assembly to restore to all workers the ability to sue employers over race, age and gender discrimination.

Starr joins Bruce Springsteen in boycotting North Carolina.  The Boss announced last week that he had canceled his April 10 show at the Greensboro Coliseum.  Earlier this week, Bryan Adams nixed his April 14 gig at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum in Biloxi, Miss., in protest of that state’s similar law.