Billy Ray Cyrus opposes Mississippi 'Religious Freedom' bill: 'Everyone should be treated equal'

NASHVILLE, April 12 (UPI) -- Billy Ray Cyrus is the latest celebrity to speak out against the controversial "Religious Freedom" bill in Mississippi.

After singer Bryan Adams cancelled his Mississippi concerts over the bill as Bruce Springsteen announced he will no longer perform in North Carolina over the passing of the "bathroom law," Cyrus took to Facebook to share his views on the matter.

"I would feel negligent to not speak up. In light of my good friend, Bryan Adams, taking a stand and my daughter having been on the ground floor of this movement, this issue is very important to me," the country star and father to Happy Hippie foundation creator Miley Cyrus, wrote Monday.

"As a friend and dad...I've witnessed this fight from the very beginning. I think everyone should be treated equal. We've come so far; we can't mess this up."

Mississippi's controversial bill number 1523, which allows private businesses and religious groups to deny service to members of the LGBT community, was passed last week by Gov. Phil Bryant. In a statement uploaded to Twitter, Bryant defended his decision, saying the law was signed to "protect sincerely held religious beliefs and moral convictions...from discriminatory action by state government."

Singer Bryan Adams took to social media to voice his disapproval of the law, saying the bill was "incomprehensible" and discriminatory against members of the LGBT community.

"I cannot in good conscience perform in a State where certain people are being denied their civil rights due to their sexual orientation," the songwriter wrote. He was scheduled to play at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum April 14.

Meanwhile, North Carolina's HB2 Public Facilities Privacy and Security Act, which bans transgender citizens from using the bathroom assigned to their expressed gender, was signed into law by Gov. Pat McCroy late last month.

The decision has prompted significant pushback from some corporate entities like PayPal and Apple and celebrities Ellen DeGeneres and transgender actress Laverne Cox.

In response to singer Springsteen's backing out of any future shows in the state, Republican congressman Mark Walker said he was disappointed, calling the move a "bully tactic."

"It's like when a kid gets upset and says he's going to take his ball and go home," Walker told the Hollywood Reporter. Springsteen was scheduled to perform this weekend in Greensboro, N.C.