Laura Jane Grace took a powerful stand against North Carolina's anti-queer legislation Sunday night when the trans musician burned her birth certificate on stage during her Durham, North Carolina, show.
In the wake of other musicians cancelling shows in response to the state's House Bill 2, Grace said in April that she refused to cancel her show and planned to use the event "as a form of protest."
She did exactly that -- burning her birth certificate on stage as she told the crowd, "bye, gender!"
“I think the real danger with HB2 is that it creates a target on transgender people specifically,” Grace said in April to Buzzfeed. “When you feel targeted as a trans person, the natural inclination is to go into hiding. But visibility is more important than ever; to go there and have the platform of a stage to stand on and speak your mind and represent yourself.”
Other musicians and entertainers have also taken a stand against North Carolina's House Bill 2, including comedian Joel McHale who donated all of the profits from his Durham, North Carolina, show to the city’s local LGBTQ center. Additionally, 90 big-name business leaders have come out against the anti-queer bill.
Additionally, on May 10, United States Attorney General Loretta Lynch announced that the justice department would be suing North Carolina over House Bill 2.
Thanks for keeping it punk, Laura.
Want to read more from the musician? Check out this interview she did with HuffPost Queer Voices in December.
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