Beyoncé speaks up in support of LGBT groups protesting North Carolina’s “bathroom law”

By Sam Barsanti | May 4, 2016 | 10:33pm

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Over the last month or so, everyone from Pearl Jam and Bruce Springsteen to the NCAA itself have canceled (or threatened to cancel) stuff in North Carolina over the state’s House Bill 2, the so-called “bathroom law” that prohibits people from using a bathroom intended for a gender other than the one listed on their birth certificate. Meanwhile, Against Me!’s Laura Jane Grace decided to perform in North Carolina anyway so she could specifically protest the law in person. Beyoncé and her Formation World Tour stopped in North Carolina this week, and though she didn’t cancel her concert, Beyoncé has now released a statement pledging her support for the pro-LGBT organizations that are fighting against HB2.

Beyoncé’s message says that she wanted to “bring attention to those who are committed to being good and carrying on the message of equality in this core of controversy,” and she links to an organization called Equality NC that she says is “dedicated to securing equal rights and justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer North Carolinians.” Also, possibly because of the immense power that Beyoncé wields in this country, CNN is reporting that the U.S. Department Of Justice has now officially challenged House Bill 2’s legality by saying it violates the Civil Rights Act. At this point, it’s unclear if the combined forces of Beyoncé and the DOJ will convince North Carolina to repeal the bathroom law, but this whole thing is definitely far from over.