Arts & Entertainment

Elton John calls North Carolina HB2 law ‘dangerous’ in open letter

singer says Gov. Pat McCrory needs ‘lesson in compassion’

Published

10 years ago

May 18, 2016

Mariah Cooper

(Screenshot courtesy of YouTube)

Elton John slammed North Carolina’s HB2 law in an open letter posted in a blog on The Hill on Tuesday.

The 69-year-old singer says the law isn’t a matter of practicality or inconvenience but can be “traumatic” and “unsafe.”

“This brand of ignorance deliberately shuts out the perspective of an already marginalized community. It’s dangerous, and it goes beyond bathrooms. As the father of two children, I would hope their world is free of discriminatory, hateful legislation like North Carolina’s,” John writes.

“McCrory and others who support these discriminatory bathroom bills need to reverse course, but moreover, they need a lesson in compassion,” John continued. “They need to recognize the existence of trans people, and they need to acknowledge that all people have a fundamental desire — and a fundamental right — to be treated fairly.”

John also noted he took issue with Gov. Pat McCrory signing the bill after admitting he had never met a transgender person.

Up Next

Violinist Itzhak Perlman cancels North Carolina performance over HB2 law

Don't Miss

‘Looking’ movie gets HBO air date

FUND LGBTQ JOURNALISM

Photos

PHOTOS: SUNFESTIVAL

Annual dance party held amid weekend festivities in Rehoboth Beach

Published

3 hours ago

September 9, 2026

Daniel Truitt

A scene from the SUNFESTIVAL Night of Dance at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center on Sept. 6. (Washington Blade photo by Daniel Truitt)

The annual CAMP Rehoboth fundraiser, SUNFESTIVAL, was held over Labor Day weekend in Rehoboth Beach, Del. The festival included a massive dance party at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center on Sunday.

(Washington Blade photos by Daniel Truitt)

Arts & Entertainment

Nominate your favorites for the Blade’s 25th annual Best Of LGBTQ DC Awards

Submit your picks now; top 5 vote getters move to the finals

Published

8 hours ago

September 9, 2026

Staff reports

Nominate your favorites in our Best of LGBTQ DC categories through Sept. 24. The top 5 nominees from each category will become finalists with voting starting Sept. 28. Our 2026 Best of LGBTQ DC winners will be announced at the Best of LGBTQ DC Awards Party on Thursday, Oct. 22 and our special issue will come out on Friday, Oct. 23. One vote per email address per day. Good luck!

CLICK HERE TO NOMINATE OR USE THE FORM BELOW!

Out & About

Blade Foundation to host fundraiser in Rehoboth on Sept. 12

Mayor-elect Stewart, state Rep. Snyder-Hall to give remarks

Published

3 days ago

September 7, 2026

Tinashe Chingarande

Rehoboth Mayor-elect Susan Stewart will speak at the Blade Foundation fundraiser on Sept. 12.

The Washington Blade Foundation will host a fundraiser on Saturday, Sept. 12 in Rehoboth Beach featuring remarks from Rehoboth’s Mayor-elect Susan Stewart and Delaware state Rep. Claire Snyder-Hall.

The Foundation funds fellowships for aspiring queer journalists and enterprise journalism projects.

The event will be held at a private home in Rehoboth. Tickets are $100 and include open bar from Diego’s, catered appetizers from the Blue Moon, entertainment, guest speakers, and an auction. Tickets are available here.