Slipknot condemn discriminatory North Carolina 'bathroom bill'

Slipknot will perform Tuesday night at Charlotte, North Carolina’s PNC Music Pavilion. But Monday, in advance of their show, the metal band condemned the state’s discriminatory 2016 “bathroom bill” that mandates transgender people use the bathroom corresponding with the gender they were assigned at birth.

“We believe that regardless of who you are, or what you believe in this country — and in our own metal community — that everyone should be given access to equal opportunities they need to succeed,” the band wrote on their blog, adding that they had “reservations” about the North Carolina date when they embarked on their current tour in late June. “This law flies in the face of those values. We believe that regardless of who you are, or who you love, you shouldn’t have to face hatred at home or in your community.”

Slipknot also explained their decision to go on with the North Carolina gig when so many of their rock peers have cancelled tour dates to protest the law. “Our fans in North Carolina deserve better, so we decided not to cancel,” they wrote. “We don’t care where you pee — just please flush. It’s pretty simple, really.”

The band announced they’ve partnered with LGBTQ advocacy group Equality NC to register voters at the show and raise awareness about the law, noting that “that way we won’t have to talk about this the next time we come back there.”

Numerous artists, from Bruce Springsteen to Demi Lovato, cancelled performances in North Carolina in the wake of the controversial legislation. But other performers — notably Beyoncé, Mumford and Sons, and Against Me! — used their shows to bring attention to protest the legislation.

The United States Justice Department has challenged the law in court. Last month, the N.B.A. decided to move February 2017’s All-Star Game from Charlotte to a location outside of the state.