Photo: Tweet by Jill Knight @jillography
Earlier this week North Carolina’s legislature and Gov. Pat McCrory took society backwards in time when they passed House Bill 2, the Public Facilities Privacy & Security Act, that flushed anti-discrimination protections for all lesbians, gays and bisexuals down the toilette while also barring transgender people from using bathrooms that do not match the gender on their birth certificate.
Needless to say, there’s been a ton of backlash, including protests on the streets and disgust shared across social channels. Even Dow Chemical, the company known to shirk responsibility for environmental disasters like Bhopal in India, called out for “a comprehensive federal framework to ensure fairness for all.” PayPal, who recently announced plans to open a new 400-person office in Charlotte, along with Disney, the NBA, the NCAA, Apple, and Google have all weighed in and opposed the new law.
We believe in equal rights and equal treatment for all. This North Carolina law is misguided & wrong. #WeAreNotThispic.twitter.com/3yCayn7Tum
— Google (@google) March 24, 2016
Based in Durham, Moogfest released a statement today “to our global community of artists, technologists, and future-thinkers” that included a call to action:
“We adamantly oppose this law, and any laws that enable or encourage exclusion and bigotry.
Moogfest is dedicated to the legacy of Bob Moog, an engineer who partnered with artists to create new technological tools for creative expression. It was Bob’s lifelong belief that true innovation comes through collaboration, not exclusion. Moogfest offers an inclusive environment where all people come together to explore big ideas for the future. We value diversity, self-expression and experimentation above all else. This discriminatory law not only runs counter to the basic principles of equality, fairness, and justice – it is a direct affront to our principled mission.
We are stunned by the news this week, and we invite you to join us in opposing regressive, unjust discrimination of all kinds.”
Moogfest, which takes place in Durham May 19-22, 2016, is known not only for their unique and creative musical programming, but for their Future Thought sessions, workshops, installations, and film fest, which will include conversations with Laurie Anderson, Time Traveling with Hip-Hop featuring GZA and Mark Anthony Neal, and a Cognitive DJ Battle with IBM Watson.
The festival also has plans to dedicate space “for education and dialogue around these issues and we will take every step possible to ensure that Moogfest remains a safe and welcoming space for all festival-goers, especially the many LGBTQ artists and speakers joining us this year.”
Moogfest invites all to join them in “standing our ground in North Carolina, and will use every opportunity to protest this law – on the stage, in the streets, and on social media.”
• Follow and share the story on social media #WeAreNotThis #HB2 #NC
• Support the work of Moogfest allies at the ACLU of North Carolina
• Sign Equality NC’s petition
