Apr 20, 2016
Father John Misty is the latest artist to protest North Carolina’s Public Facilities Privacy & Security Act (HB2), a recent decree prohibiting transgender citizens from using bathrooms and locker rooms that are not specific to the “biological sex” stated on their birth certificate.
For musicians, the actions taken to protest HB2 has been varied. Bruce Stringsteen, Ringo Starr, and Pearl Jam all had zero tolerance for the heinous enactment and cancelled their North Carolina shows altogether. On the other hand, others believe the show must go on (including transgender singer Laura Jane Grace of Against Me!) – but not without a big “suck it, North Carolina government". Father John Misty falls in that category.
Father John Misty’s NC show at The Fillamore Charlotte will still be taking place on April 27th. Rather than abruptly cutting the concert, FJM believed it be more effective to use his music to the community's advantage. In an interview with Rolling Stone, the singer-songwriter shared that all proceeds from the gig will be donated to Time Out Youth, a Charlotte based LGBT charity and support center.
"The bill is obviously bullshit," FJM stated, "[If] I thought playing a show for my fans in North Carolina was in any way some tacit endorsement of this fearful, petty, ignorant nonsense, I wouldn't. I also play states that have oppressive drug laws designed to imprison the disenfranchised, rig elections, deny women their dignity, defend the reckless and insane practice of selling guns and sustain a permanent underclass with hypocritical, opportunist readings of archaic documents written by land-stealers who never intended political privilege to extend past their buddies.
"These are obviously all huge systemic problems," he adds. "But for me, this show represents a start in investing in the plight of other Americans.
Father John Misty is following the same actions taken by Mumford and Sons and Against Me! – both of whom continued their shows despite full disapproval of HB2.
Image: The Guardian