USITT Releases Statement on Anti-LGBT Legislation in Mississippi & North Carolina

As previously reported, the theatre industry has launched a vocal opposition against anti-LGBT legislation in North Carolina and Mississippi. Broadway composer Stephen Schwartz has gone so far as to urge theatre writers and producers to boycott North Carolina by denying rights to produce their shows at theaters in the state.

Today, USITT has released the following statement:

"The United States Institute for Theatre Technology is committed to an open environment for all people. Our commitment to diversity and inclusion acknowledges and embraces the differences among us. We know that diversity only serves to make us a stronger organization and a better society.

Recent legislation in North Carolina and Mississippi are contrary to this embrace of diversity. We hope that the leaders of these states and others realize that further divisiveness is bad for our economy and our society. Intolerance has no place in America.

While the USITT national organization currently has no events planned in either North Carolina or Mississippi, we do have many active members in these two states. The unwelcome environment created by your recently adopted legislation makes it impossible for us to plan any activities there until such time that these laws are rescinded.

We will continue to support our members that live in these states and encourage them to make their views on these issues known to their elected leaders. However, we join today in the chorus of businesses and groups refusing to do business in North Carolina and Mississippi until positive change occurs.

Signed:

David Grindle, Executive Director Mark Shanda, President"