Anti-HB2 concert: Dead to donate money from Charlotte gig to LGBT groups

Dead & Co., which consists of former Grateful Dead members Bob Weir, Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzmann, along with John Mayer, Oteil Burbridge and Jeff Chimenti, is scheduled to perform June 10 at PNC Music Pavilion.

"Dead shows have always been a safe place for all of our audience to come together through music, no matter how they appear or self-identify. History shows these values of openness and inclusiveness have served us – and the world around us – well," the band said in a statement. "We’ve never been a band that’s spoken many words when we’re on stage. But we hope that our actions, and the actions of our fans, will ring louder than ever before."

The band plans to have a "Participation Row" social action area at the concert for local organizations fighting discrimination and national organizations dedicated to voter registration and protecting the planet.

The $100,000 will go to LGBT advocacy groups Equality NC and the Human Rights Campaign.

"Equality NC is so grateful for this generous support, which continues to buoy our efforts to defeat HB2 – the worst anti-LGBT law in the nation," Chris Sgro, the group's executive director, said in a statement. "North Carolina is a welcoming and wonderful state. HB2 is not indicative of who we are, and this gift will help us return to a state of equality."

Chad Griffin, president of the Human Rights Campaign, said the donation "will help us repeal this Draconian law and get us one step closer to ensuring that all North Carolinians can live their lives free from discrimination."

House Bill 2 requires transgender people to use public bathrooms that correspond to their birth gender, and it excludes gay and transgender people from protections against discrimination in employment and public accommodations.

Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam, violinist Itzhak Perlman and Cirque du Soleil are among the performers who have canceled North Carolina appearances in recent months because of the state law.