Brow Beat

Stephen Colbert Opens The Late Show With a Solemn Statement on North Carolina’s Anti-LGBTQ Law

The list of performers who have canceled shows in North Carolina to protest the state’s outrageous new anti-LGBTQ law grows ever longer, with Pearl Jam and Boston just the latest bands to pull the plug on upcoming concerts. But don’t expect Stephen Colbert to add his name to that list: The Late Show host opened last night by declaring that he would never withhold his talents from anyone—not even North Carolinians—because of his belief that entertainers can bridge our differences.

Who better to back Colbert up in his call for understanding between transphobic lawmakers and LGBTQ supporters than Civil War opponents Robert E. Lee and Abraham Lincoln? After all, urged Colbert, if a Confederate general and Union president could set aside their differences, surely the rest of us can follow their example and “cling to each other, passionately, and really, really, just go for it.”