A host of artists have propelled themselves into political action and advocacy in 2017, from megastars and A-listers like Zedd, Lady Gaga, and Grimes to promoters and now even some of the most monolithic organizations in the music industry.
The most recent of those to speak out is C3 Presents, the largest music event producer in Austin and a powerhouse promotional company in the state of Texas. C3’s announcement against the controversial transgender bathroom bill comes just a day after 100+ artists released an open letter to the Texas legislature.
A statement provided by C3’s press team emphasized both their moral and economic objections to the bill:
C3 Presents fully supports and stands with the artists and others speaking out in opposition to SB 6 and wholeheartedly opposes this exclusionary and unfair bill targeting the LGBTQ community in Texas, which will cause unnecessary economic damage to our state.
Similar to its North Carolina counterpart, HB2, which resulted in numerous artists canceling shows in the state, this so-called ‘bathroom bill’, known as SB6 in the Texas Senate and HB1362 in the House of Representatives, will “regulate bathroom use” and require that transgender individuals use the restrooms that are consistent with their “biological sex.”
The law, if passed, would apply to all public buildings, including public schools, universities, government buildings, and so forth. It would also prevent municipalities from making their own laws with respect to restroom use and gender identity. The current text of the proposed legislation (full text here) would include civil as well as criminal penalties.
C3 produces the iconic Austin City Limits Festival, as well as globally celebrated Lollapalooza in Chicago and Big Day Out in Australia, and also book shows across Austin at some of its largest venues. The next ACL fest will take place October 6-8 and 13-15 at Zilker Park.
First reported by Austin360.
