TOW #23 - Stephen Schwartz vs. anti LGBT laws

Stephen Schwartz is widely known for composing the music for popular musicals including Wicked, Pippen, Godspell, Working, The Magic Show, and more. However, recently, North Carolina passed the Public Facilities Privacy and Security Act, which prevents transgender people from using bathrooms that do not match their biological gender, and also bans any legislature in North Carolina from protecting LGBT citizens. Stephen Schwartz responded to this by banning the use and performance of any of his musicals in North Carolina until they lift these laws. He took this action in hopes that others would follow, putting pressure on North Carolina to change. In a speech, he mentioned, "First of all, I think its important to remember that this is not just me, this is a collective action by a great many theatre artists, as well as those from other fields. For instance, I saw this morning that 269 authors and illustrators of children's books are declining to attend conferences and festivals in North Carolina as long as the law is in force"(Stephen Schwartz). The debate on LGBT laws has become increasingly popular in the news and media, and has aroused anger and mixed feelings. No laws should limit transgenders or any members of the LGBT community. Also, the added insult of prohibiting any assistance or protection for them is even worse. Sexual orientation should not limit rights or protection from the government. We all deserve equal treatment under the Constitution, and people are making the right move in trying to protest against this type of discrimination. Society needs to have an open mind to others differences, and not separate each other because of them.