While Bruce Springsteen and other entertainers have opted to boycott North Carolina over the state’s new anti-LGBT law, others are opting to try to affect change by going to the Tar Heel State.

Last night, pop legends Duran Duran's Paper Gods tour hit Charlotte and, as a rainbow-flavored American flag flashed in the background, Simon Le Bon spoke to the audience about their decision not to boycott.

He also announced a new petition from Equality North Carolina that will be presented to legislators later in the month.

Earlier the band issued a statement

Here it is again, just plain old fashioned prejudice, fear and oppression, the same old kind that’s blighted the human race, in varying degrees, for all of its history. Duran Duran is opposed to bigotry and discrimination in all of its ugly forms, and so it follows that we are opposed to the basic premise of HB2.

We support the rights of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender community, to have equal opportunities. We support their rights to live free, happy, fulfilled lives.

If you live in this state and feel the same way, we urge you to register, so that you can vote; so that your voice can be heard.

We urge you to sign this petition which will be presented at the General Assembly meeting on April 25th in North Carolina. You have the power to repeal this outdated and cruel legislation.

Response to the moment was overwhelmingly positive but, on Facebook, advocates debated the right course of action.

"Love Duran Duran but... North Carolina has made it clear that it will not repeal HB2,” wrote on commenter. "The only thing that will change the NC Governor and assembly's mind is a severe economic hit. A petition is interesting and donations to equality organizations are nice but will not have the same impact."

"Thank you Duran Duran for helping the cause without hurting those of us in the gig economy,” wrote another. "Entertainment industry people are overwhelmingly opposed to HB2 and shouldn't be collateral damage in this struggle."

And then there were these wise words:

"Support of this kind is crucial to getting attention to this destructive legislation. The most important part of the message is VOTE. Remember Roy Cooper for governor and Josh Stein for Attorney General in November, as well as the Democratic candidates for the State House. There are far more registered Democrats in NC than Republicans. WE can change this. By our votes and our voices. We have to stand together for equality to turn back the tide of hate.”

The Equality North Carolina petition will be presented to the General Assembly on April 25. You can sign it here.