Bryan Adams Cancelled A Concert In Mississippi Over An Anti-LGBT Law

"I cannot in good conscience perform in a State where certain people are being denied their civil rights due to their sexual orientation."

Bryan Adams cancelled a concert in Mississippi over the state's new law that lets businesses discriminate against LGBT people on religious grounds.

Mike Ridewood / Reuters

Republican Governor Phil Bryant signed the "religious liberty bill" into law last week and it comes into effect on July 1. It will allow individuals, businesses, and religious groups to deny services to LGBT people for "sincerely held religious beliefs or moral convictions."

The law specifically lists the following as protected beliefs:

* that marriage is only valid as the union of one man and one woman;

* that sex is only proper within a marriage;

* and that a person's gender is "immutable" and the same as their sex as assigned at birth.

Adams announced he was cancelling his April 14 concert in Biloxi because of the passage of Bill 1523. "I find it incomprehensible that LGBT citizens are being discriminated against in the state of Mississippi."

Facebook: bryanadamsofficial

Writing on his Facebook page, Adams said he was pushing for the repeal of the law so he "can come back and perform for all of my many fans" in Mississippi.

Fans and LGBT groups applauded Adams' decision.

PlayGround66 @Playground_66

Very proud of your decision. Saw you in concert years ago...have always been a fan #ProudCanadian https://t.co/D691RH8QsV

03:31 PM - 11 Apr 2016

Los Angeles LGBT Ctr @LALGBTCenter

💙 https://t.co/VmstybdgDk

04:36 PM - 11 Apr 2016

There were also thousands of angry comments on his Facebook page from Mississippians and others who disagreed with his decision to cancel.

Facebook

"Fascist much?"

Some called Adams out for hypocrisy because he has played concerts in countries with much more restrictive laws against LGBT people.

Stallion @Stallion2011

@bryanadams Hypocrisy. You have played countless Middle Eastern countries where homosexuality is outlawed or punishable by death. #FormerFan

03:27 PM - 11 Apr 2016

Steven Crowder @scrowder

Riddle me this, Bryan Adams...

03:45 PM - 11 Apr 2016

Adams' announcement comes just days after Bruce Springsteen cancelled a concert in South Carolina over that state's anti-trans law.