Ringo Starr cancels North Carolina show to 'take a stand' against anti-LGBT law

On Wednesday (April 13), Ringo Starr joined the horde of artists speaking out against North Carolina's controversial new law and canceled his June 18 performance at the Koka Booth Amphitheatre.

In a press release, the Beatles drummer said, "I'm sorry to disappoint my fans in the area, but we need to take a stand against this hatred. Spread peace and love."

Gov. McCrory's executive order signed into law last week, which revised North Carolina's controversial HB2, has been called the most "anti-LGBT" legislation in the nation. Within his executive orders, McCrory has made it illegal for a transgender individual to use the bathroom of the gender they identify with. Similarly, towns can no longer prevent businesses from discriminating against customers based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

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Starr was previously scheduled to perform in Cary, North Carolina, on his All Starr Tour. Last week, artist Bruce Springsteen also canceled his North Carolina concert, calling the law "an attempt by people who cannot stand the progress our country has made in recognizing the human rights of all of our citizens to overturn that progress."

Other artists -- including Cyndi Lauper, Gregg Allman, Brandi Carlile and Jimmy Buffet -- have spoken out against the discriminatory law but have chosen not to cancel their North Carolina performances. In similar statements, the performers all explained that their loyalty is to their fans, not to the state of North Carolina.

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Buffet explained: "North Carolina was there for me as a performer in the early days and I have always felt a loyalty to fans there that goes deep. Rightly so, a lot of people are reacting to the stupid law. I happen to believe that the majority of our fans in North Carolina feel the way I do about that law. I am lucky enough to have found a job in the business of fun. These shows were booked and sold out long before the governor signed that stupid law. I am not going to let stupidity or bigotry trump fun for my loyal fans this year. We will be playing in Raleigh and Charlotte next week."