Boycott over LGBT law impacts more than just the music fans

Eller and about 100 members of the local union of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees are among the many workers and businesses caught in the crossfire of the national debate over LGBT rights and feeling the economic shockwaves from the growing number of canceled shows.

Hotels, restaurants, bars and even community groups who work arena concession stands say they are suffering from the boycott.

The wide-reaching law that directs transgender people to use the public bathroom that aligns with the sex on their birth certificate was signed by Republican Gov. Pat McCrory in March.

[...] Pearl Jam, violinist Itzhak Perlman, Ringo Starr and Cirque Du Soleil have canceled.

McCraw said the impact is likely to affect the North Carolina live music industry for months to come because artists and agents are wavering on whether to even schedule shows in North Carolina four to six months from now.

Near the Greensboro coliseum, owner and manager Ziad Fleihan of Ghassan's, a kabob and sandwich shop with a location two blocks from the coliseum, said the potential economic effect is scary.

The coliseum and the accompanying Greensboro Aquatic Center are slated to host NCAA basketball tournament games in 2017 and NCAA swimming and diving championship games in 2018.