Chris Jordan, and Jean Mikle

Asbury Park Press

Bruce Springsteen is standing for equality.

The Boss has canceled his Sunday, April 10 show at the Greensboro Coliseum in North Carolina to protest the passage of the Public Facilities Privacy and Security Act, which overturns local ordinances banning discrimination against gay and transgender people, and also dictates that they must use the bathroom that corresponds with the sex on their birth certificate.

"As you, my fans, know I’m scheduled to play in Greensboro, North Carolina this Sunday. As we also know, North Carolina has just passed HB2, which the media are referring to as the “bathroom” law," Springsteen said in a statement posted on his social media sites. The new law "dictates which bathrooms transgender people are permitted to use. Just as important, the law also attacks the rights of LGBT citizens to sue when their human rights are violated in the workplace. No other group of North Carolinians faces such a burden."

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North Carolina's Republican Gov. Pat McCrory signed the law March 23, which prevents local governments from protecting individuals on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in public accommodations.

Since the law was signed, more than 100 corporate executives have urged McCrory to repeal the legislation, and some companies are reconsidering doing business in the state. PayPal recently nixed a plan to expand in North Carolina, and NCAA President Mark Emmert said if the law remains in place it will hurt the state’s chances to host major college athletic events.

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"To my mind, it’s an attempt by people who cannot stand the progress our country has made in recognizing the human rights of all of our citizens to overturn that progress," Springsteen said in the statement. "Right now, there are many groups, businesses, and individuals in North Carolina working to oppose and overcome these negative developments. Taking all of this into account, I feel that this is a time for me and the band to show solidarity for those freedom fighters. As a result, and with deepest apologies to our dedicated fans in Greensboro, we have canceled our show scheduled for Sunday, April 10th. Some things are more important than a rock show and this fight against prejudice and bigotry — which is happening as I write — is one of them. It is the strongest means I have for raising my voice in opposition to those who continue to push us backwards instead of forwards."

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Tickets will be refunded at the point of purchase. The reaction from the Asbury Park LGBT community was overwhelmingly positive.

"Bruce Springsteen is awesome," said Laura Pople, organizer of the Jersey Pride Fest, which takes place Saturday, June 4 in Asbury Park. "It's so great that this town (Asbury Park) is so associated with him -- he such an advocate for everybody."

"It's great that he will take this step -- it speaks to the depth of his character."

Reaction on fan forums was decidedly mixed, with some fans applauding Springsteen for taking a stand while others criticized him for canceling the show at such late notice.

Springsteen's song "Streets of Philadelphia," from the 1994 movie "Philadelphia," was a pivotal moment in the battle for gay rights as it marked one of the first time a mainstream artist embraced the cause.

The Pride Fest is marking its 25th anniversary this year and Springsteen is welcome to attend, Pople said.

"Out 25th year is a milestone so it would be worthy of such visit," Pople said. "We walked by his Stone Pony during the very first Pride Fest and it would be an honor to have him."

The National Center for Transgender Equality says several other states -- including Mississippi, Tennessee, Illinois and South Carolina -- are considering legislation similar to the North Carolina law.

Chris Jordan: cjordan@app.com.