Holly Meyer

USA TODAY NETWORK – Tennessee

Bonnaroo blasted a new Tennessee law that allows licensed counselors and therapists to refuse clients, calling out the measure as "anti-LGBT" on the music festival's official Twitter account.

Gov. Bill Haslam signed the controversial legislation into law Wednesday. It gives the licensed professionals protections from civil lawsuits, criminal prosecution and sanctions by the state licensing board if they opt out of providing services for clients whose outcomes or behaviors are in conflict with the counselor's "sincerely held principles." They must provide the client with a referral.

"Despite this setback for equality, Bonnaroo will continue to be a force for promoting and embracing openness and acceptance," one of Bonnaroo's tweets read.

The measure doesn't specifically mention people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, but advocates like the Tennessee Equality Project and professional organizations like the American Counseling Association have criticized the law for discriminating against LGBT people. Proponents of the law say it balances the rights of counselors with the rights of the clients.

Counseling group considers relocating Nashville conference over therapist bill

The annual music festival in Manchester, Tenn., is expected to draw tens of thousands of people this year and it takes place June 9-12. The Bonnaroo Twitter account published four successive Tweets about its stance on the measure:

Reach Holly Meyer at 615-259-8241 and on Twitter @HollyAMeyer.