World

Mississippi spurning - Adams cancels gig in protest

07:54 am on 12 April 2016

Canadian rock star Bryan Adams has cancelled a concert in the American state of Mississippi, in protest at a new law that allows businesses and organisations to refuse services to gay people.

The religious liberty bill is due to take effect in July.

Bryan Adams Photo: AFP/FILE

The singer issued a statement saying he could not "in good conscience" perform in the state.

He added he found it "incomprehensible that LGBT citizens are being discriminated against".

He was due to play the Mississippi Coast Coliseum in Biloxi on Thursday.

Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant signed HB1523 into law on 5 April amid opposition from equal rights groups and businesses.

The law offers protection for Christians who adhere to traditional views of marriage and gender roles, which Governor Bryant said "protects sincerely held religious beliefs and moral convictions".

Adams said he was using his voice to "stand in solidarity with all my LGBT friends to repeal this extremely discriminatory bill".

"Hopefully Mississippi will right itself and I can come back and perform for all of my many fans. I look forward to that day."

Adams's cancellation comes after Bruce Springsteen cancelled a show in North Carolina last week because of a new law in that state.

Springsteen joined business groups in condemning the law which rolls back local anti-discrimination measures that protected gay and transgender people.