On June 26, 2015, in the landmark decision of Obergefell v Hodges, the US Supreme Court legalized “gay” marriage as a protected right under the US Constitution. It seems that since the Obergefell decision, the war on LGBT – or, as many of us like to think of it, human rights – is alive and well in America, and indeed, has taken on a renewed sense of urgency. I have watched in dismay as one effort after another is mounted to marginalize, ostracize and demonize our LGBT citizens. The most recent of these was the enactment of the so-called “bathroom law” in North Carolina, HB2, which is the “Public Facilities Privacy and Security Act.” This insidious law requires multi-person public restrooms in governmental buildings to restrict use to those whose biological sex matches the gender indicated on the bathroom door. In other words, this is a law which targets transgender citizens and undermines the rights of individuals to sexually identify with a particular gender.
It is laws like HB2 that make me wonder how we can invest billions of dollars in wars ostensibly to bring democracy to other countries, when we cannot seem to live up to our own ideals of equal rights here in our own land. But, sometimes the worst attempts to undermine democratic principles bring out the best in us as well.
Enter the Boss. No, I do not mean President Obama or the late, great Frank Sinatra. I am referring to the one and only legendary Bruce Springsteen – The Boss. Anyone who knows me is aware that I am a huge fan. When Bruce goes on the road, I go on the road, traveling as long and as far as it takes to catch as many shows as my busy law practice and my family permits. As I tell people, if you haven’t been to a Springsteen show, you haven’t discovered the true meaning of joy.
So what does the Boss have to do with North Carolina’s bathroom law? Just this: Bruce Springsteen and the EStreet Band are on tour, bringing the Ties that Bind/River Tour concert all over the US and soon to head out, taking it to the shores of Europe. One stop along the way was the concert scheduled for April 10th in Greensboro, North Carolina. However, in response to the “bathroom law” Bruce issued a statement on his website www.brucespringsteen.net condemning the law and in protest, cancelling the April 10th concert. Good for you Bruce!
Bruce’s action reminds us all that this is not the time to stand silently by while American citizens see their personal liberty trampled. We must all have the courage to speak out. I grew up in a generation where such courage put an end to an illegal and immoral war in Southeast Asia, put an end to Jim Crow and planted the seeds for equality for women. In the words of the great Jewish sage Hillel “If I am not for myself, who will be for me? But if I am only for myself, who am I? If not now, when?” Ethics of the Fathers, 1:14. We must all be for ourselves by protecting the rights of each of us to determine our own destinies in a country born of the belief that all people are created equal and have the right to pursue their own happiness.
Shame on you, North Carolina and thank you Bruce Springsteen for reminding us what it means to be an American citizen engaged in the democratic process.