Variety: Cirque du Soleil has joined the raft of entertainment-industry companies and individuals pressuring South Carolina to repeal recent legislation that is seen by many to be anti-LGBT, with the Canadian nouveau-circus troupe cancelling upcoming N.C. stops for two of its shows, “Ovo” and “Toruk.”
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Well, it worked for Georgia, let’s hope it works for North Carolina. This is at least the second or third major name in entertainment that has boycotted the state over the legislation, and hopefully more and more names join what is essentially a boycott of the state until the legislation is overturned. In addition to the tactic working in Georgia, the number of musicians and entertainers who have canceled shows in North Carolina has had a big enough impact on the politics of the state that the governor has even publicly denounced those entertainers who through ‘selective outrage’ cancel shows over a political disagreement. The way I see it, if companies can buy congressmen and have their political voice manifested through money, then there’s no way that choosing to forfeit money through canceling a show is in anyway less fair or moral. I’ll be looking to see how this story continues to evolve.
This is the second article I read about the entertainment industry canceling performances. I think this makes such a big impact. When a state passes a law that is discriminatory, people have a lot to say, but not much action is taken. When theater and other entertainment groups cancel a performance, people take action. I love that this is way people in the public eye are protesting. It is not violent at all or can it cause violent uproars. Just simply canceling appearances says a lot while not causing any other problems. I hope that it is effective and the state laws get changed. Until the happens I hope others follow Cirque du Soleil's example and cancel appearances. It can spread beyond just touring theater, musical groups and other traveling performers can take a stance too. Theater is known to be very open and accepting so why shouldn't we try to end discrimination when we have the power to take a stance.
I keep seeing article like this one pop up and eventually North Caroline is going to have to make a decision and I’m eager to see what it is going to be. Will they shrug off being snubbed by ever growing amounts of the entertainment industry or will they get rid of their law? If it was purely up to the people who made the law in the first place, well they might not care. Hell, they might even think it’s a good thing getting all those crazy entertainment people out of their state. Fortunately, its not purely up to them, its also up to the people who elected them. Those people may not care or may actually support this bill, but I bet they’ll start caring/questioning their support when their entertainment options start draining away and performances they were looking forwards to start getting canceled, hopefully they’ll be able to get their representatives to see sense.
I usually try not to comment on articles like this, but I have read and seen so much about North Carolina's "religious freedom" bill. I love that major entertainment companies are using their economic and social influence to support LGBT rights. State governments act on the opinions and votes of only a few people. Most people do not know who their state representative is, let alone the laws that are currently on the table at the state capital. The vast majority of the population does not vote in state elections. Almost no one writes to or petitions their representative. People just don't care what the state, or even the national, government is doing most of the time. So when bills like this are put forth for a vote, there is no one there to protest it. However, boycotts by these highly visible companies make it easier for the residents to feel the impact of the state government. There is a real effect on their personal lives, so they start caring. Hopefully these boycotts will work and the law is changed.
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