House Bill 2 is wreaking havoc on the North Carolina economy and the state is about to suffer another major blow with collegiate championships being pulled from the state by the NCAA on the heels of the NBA taking the 2017 All Star Game away from Charlotte.
North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory refuses to budge on his state’s controversial House Bill 2, the anti-LGBTQ edict that is called the most discriminatory law in the country. He is even using it in ads as part of his reelection bid this November. Whether he gets another four years in the statehouse is up to voters, but the National Collegiate Athletic Association has spoken in no uncertain terms that they believe it is a civil rights violation, and as such, they have announced that all seven previously awarded championship events will be relocated elsewhere, according to a report in the New York Times.
The Tar Heel State has suffered mightily since the bill was hastily drawn up and signed into law by McCrory after Charlotte was debating whether to remove the bathroom provision from a city ordinance. Since its passing, businesses have either changed their minds about relocating into or expanding in the state. Additionally, many major artists have pulled out of concerts and possibly the biggest blow came when the NBA stripped Charlotte and the Hornets of the 2017 All Star Game.
“Fairness is about more than the opportunity to participate in college sports, or even compete for championships,” Mark Emmert, the N.C.A.A. president, said in a statement. “We believe in providing a safe and respectful environment at our events and are committed to providing the best experience possible for college athletes, fans and everyone taking part in our championships.”
The Board of Governors said the decision was based on “the cumulative actions taken by the state concerning civil rights protections.”
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Many people around the country have latched on to HB2’s nickname of the “Bathroom Bill,” however it is much more than who can use what restroom. While the bill does include language that prohibits transgender people from using facilities that correspond to their gender identity, it goes as far as allowing government officials to refuse services to LGBTQ individuals.
The law also forbids local communities from passing their own anti-discrimination laws that included sexual orientation or gender identity. Charlotte, a progressive city and where this all began, finds itself at the mercy of the state law.
The N.C.A.A. events being moved from North Carolina are:
2016 Division I women’s soccer championship, College Cup (Cary), Dec. 2 and 4.
2016 Division III men’s and women’s soccer championships (Greensboro), Dec. 2-3.
2017 Division I men’s basketball championship, first and second rounds (Greensboro), March 17 and 19.
2017 Division I women’s golf championships, regional (Greenville), May 8 to 10.
2017 Division III men’s and women’s tennis championships (Cary), May 22 to 27.
2017 Division I women’s lacrosse championship (Cary), May 26 and 28.
2017 Division II baseball championship (Cary), May 27 to June 3.