Comic boycotts Mississippi over new law

Tracy Morgan has pulled a gig in Mississippi in protest against the state legalising discrimination against gay people.

The comic had been due to play the town of Tunica next Friday, but has cancelled over a new law that allows religious groups to refuse services on the grounds of sexuality.

He joins a long line of performers to boycott states that have passed discriminatory laws. Bryan Adams has already cancelled a performance in Mississippi; while Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam, Ringo Starr and Boston have axed gigs in North Carolina over a law which makes it illegal for transgender Americans to use the bathroom of the gender they identify with. 

A statement from Morgan’s representatives said: ’Tracy did not make this decision lightly. He very much looks forward to rescheduling his tour dates in the area after the Protecting Freedom of Conscience from Government Discrimination Act is either repealed or heavily amended.’

Morgan, 47, has previously been accused of homophobia himself, after a 2011 stand-up routine in which he said he would ‘pull out a knife and stab’ his son if he ever came out as gay.

The comedian later apologised, stating he didn’t "have a hateful bone in my in my body, and adding: ‘I am an equal opportunity jokester… [but] even in a comedy club this clearly went too far and was not funny in any context.’

At the weekend, Morgan performed a ‘very emotional’ gig for the New Jersey medics who treated him after the 2014 accident that left him severely injured and killed fellow comedian James McNair.

Published: 20 Apr 2016