Beyonce
Beyonce in North Carolina - 5/3/16 (photo by Kris Harris)

Beyonce played North Carolina, spoke out against anti-LGBT bill

Beyonce is currently on her world tour in support of her fantastic new album Lemonade, having just played the Carter-Finley Stadium in North Carolina last night (5/3). After her show — like Cyndi Lauper, Against Me! and other musicians have done — she spoke out against the state’s anti-LGBT House Bill 2 (the “Bathroom Bill”) on her website. Bey’s statement reads:

North Carolina has been drawing the attention of the masses for new legislation that blocks cities and local governments from passing anti-discrimination measures that could protect gay and transgender people.

It all began earlier this year when Charlotte passed a decree expanding North Carolina’s anti-discrimination laws allowing LGBT people protection in places of public accommodation. The ordinance, which was set to go into effect on April 1st, would allow transgender people to use the bathrooms of the gender they identify as, amongst other progressive rights.

Rather than accepting the progression in LGBT rights, that same night, legislators returned to the state house to overrule the ordinance that would ban discrimination against LGBT people. At a special session, North Carolina’s General Assembly proposed and passed the House Bill 2 (HB2) — what has now come to be known as the “Bathroom Bill.”

As The Formation World Tour makes its stop in the Tar Heel state in the midst of such a controversial time, we think it is important for us to bring attention to those who are committed to being good and carrying on the message of equality in this core of controversy.

Among the many organizations doing the good work to get this bill overturned, there is Equality NC, a local organization dedicated to securing equal rights and justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) North Carolinians.

To accomplish these goals, Equality NC tirelessly lobbies the North Carolina General Assembly, executive branch, and local governments, broadcast LGBT news, stories and content, and mobilize our communities on issues that matter, including marriage equality, parental rights, inclusive anti-bullying policies, employment discrimination, hate violence, privacy rights, sexuality education, adoption, domestic partnerships, and HIV/AIDS.

Learn more about how you can support Equality NC by donating, volunteering, becoming an ambassador, attending an event, or simply spreading the word!

Beyonce’s 30-song set at the NC show included plenty of Lemonade, plus a good selection of songs from the rest of her career, some Destiny’s Child, her Nicki Minaj collaboration “Feeling Myself,” and an interlude with Prince’s “Purple Rain” playing. Check out the full setlist below. Her tour hits NYC on June 7 & 8 at Citi Field (tickets). Updated dates are listed below.

Lemonade has also been breaking some records. It makes her the first artist to hit (and debut) at No. 1 on her first six studio albums. All 12 songs on the album also charted in the Hot 100, making her the first female artist to have 12 songs in the Hot 100 at the same time.

Beyonce — 2016 Tour Dates
05-05 Nashville, TN – Nissan Stadium
05-07 Houston, TX – NRG Stadium
05-09 Dallas, TX – AT&T Stadium
05-12 San Diego, CA – Qualcomm Stadium
05-14 Los Angeles, CA – Rose Bowl
05-16 Santa Clara, CA – Levi’s Stadium
05-18 Seattle, WA – CenturyLink Field
05-20 Edmonton, Alberta – Commonwealth Stadium
05-23 Minneapolis, MN – TCF Bank Stadium
05-25 Toronto, Ontario – Rogers Centre
05-27 Chicago, IL – Soldier Field
05-29 Detroit, MI – Ford Field
05-31 Pittsburgh, PA – Heinz Field
06-03 Boston, MA – Gillette Stadium
06-05 Philadelphia, PA – Lincoln Financial Field
06-07 New York, NY – Citi Field
06-08 New York, NY – Citi Field
06-10 Baltimore, MD – M&T Bank Stadium
06-12 Hershey, PA – Hersheypark Stadium
06-28 Sunderland, England – Stadium of Light
06-30 Cardiff, England – Millennium Stadium
07-02 London, England – Wembley Stadium
07-05 Manchester, England – Emirates Old Trafford
07-07 Glasgow, Scotland – Hampden Park
07-09 Dublin, Ireland – Croke Park
07-12 Dusseldorf, Germany – Esprit Arena
07-14 Zurich, Switzerland – Letzigrund
07-16 Amsterdam, Netherlands – Arena
07-18 Milan, Italy – Stadio San Siro
07-21 Paris, France – Stade de France
07-24 Copenhagen, Denmark – Parken
07-26 Stockholm, Sweden – Friends Arena
07-29 Frankfurt, Germany – Gommerzbank Arena
07-31 Brussels, Belgium – Roi Boudoin

Beyonce in North Carolina Setlist (via)
Intro (with samples of ‘No Angel’ and ‘Formation’)
Formation
Sorry
Bow Down
Run the World (Girls)
Superpower (Interlude)
Mine
Baby Boy
Hold Up
Countdown
Me, Myself and I
Runnin’ (Lose It All) (Naughty Boy cover)
All Night
6 Inch / I Care / Ghost (Interlude)
Don’t Hurt Yourself
Ring the Alarm
Diva
***Flawless
Feeling Myself (Nicki Minaj cover)
Yoncé
Drunk in Love
Rocket
Hip Hop Star / Freakum Dress (Interlude)
Daddy Lessons
1+1
Purple Rain (Prince song) (Interlude)
Crazy in Love
Bootylicious (Destiny’s Child song)
Naughty Girl
Party
Blow
Die with You / Blue (Interlude)
Freedom
Survivor (Destiny’s Child song)
End of Time
Halo
Outro (‘Schoolin’ Life’)