In response to North Carolina’s discriminatory HB2 legislation, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced today that the 2017 All-Star Game would be moved from Charlotte, N.C. This marks the first time in US history that a professional sporting event was moved in response to anti-LGBT legislation.
The Public Facilities Privacy and Security Act, better known as House Bill 2 or HB2 is an anti-LGBT piece of legislation that was quickly passed into law during a specially-convened one-day session on March 23. The law immediately erased municipal ordinances that provided the LGBT community with expanded protections.
The NBA’s announcement to move its premier event out of North Carolina is, arguably, the most crushing news since the controversial law was passed. The three-day event was expected to generate an estimated $100 million in revenue. Many businesses and organizations have decided to severely limit their interaction with the state. And several lawsuits have been filed against the law, including one by the U.S. Justice Department.
“The NBA’s decision to move the 2017 All-Star Game is groundbreaking and sets an example for every other sporting body to follow,” said Athlete Ally’s Founder and Executive Director, Hudson Taylor. “If athletic communities believe in the principles of respect and equal treatment for their LGBT fans, then All-Star games and championship events should only be awarded to those states and cities that reflect those values.”
Expecting others to follow the NBA’s lead, Athlete Ally’s Director of Policy and Campaigns Ashland Johnson said, “Hosting an All-Star game is an honor and a privilege. Until North Carolina does the right thing and repeals HB2, it will continue to see a steady stream of organizations, companies, entertainment and sporting events leave the state for more inclusive and progressive ones.”
“Today’s news is further evidence that HB2 is an economic disaster for North Carolina,” said Gerrick Brenner, executive director of Progress NC Action. “Over $100 million in economic activity is leaving our state because of Gov. McCrory’s discriminatory law, on top of the hundreds of jobs and millions in tourism dollars that our state has already lost over HB2. But instead of admitting his mistake, the governor is busy raiding our disaster relief fund to defend this man-made disaster of a law in court. It’s time for Gov. McCrory to accept reality and call for a full repeal of HB2 before any more damage is done to our economy.”
“Today the NBA and Commissioner Silver sent a clear message that they won’t stand for discrimination against LGBTQ employees, players or fans,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “The NBA repeatedly warned state lawmakers that their hateful HB2 law created an inhospitable environment for their 2017 All-Star Game and other events. Nevertheless, Governor McCrory, Senator Berger and Speaker Moore doubled down on HB2 and refused to undo their discriminatory and costly error in judgment. Every day that HB2 remains on the books, people across North Carolina are at risk of real harm. We appreciate the leadership of the NBA in standing up for equality and call once again on lawmakers to repeal this vile HB2 law.”
“North Carolina General Assembly leadership and Governor McCrory repeatedly ignored the warning bells as businesses, conferences and entertainers left the state. From the beginning, NBA leadership has been clear that HB2 creates an untenable situation and jeopardizes the safety and comfort of their fans. The withdraw of the 2017 NBA All-Star Game in Charlotte came as the NBA took a principled stand against the discriminatory HB2 and the failure to repeal HB2 by Senate Leader Berger, Speaker Moore and Governor McCrory,” said Equality NC Executive Director Chris Sgro. “When the City of Charlotte passed vital LGBT protections from discrimination last year, they made themselves a more competitive city for events like the All-Star Game. McCrory, Berger, and Moore have continued to put North Carolina in economic harm’s way with the worst anti-LGBT bill in the nation, despite the best efforts of Charlotte city leaders to keep the game. We applaud the NBA for its commitment to all fans, and hope that North Carolina’s leadership will heed this wakeup call and repeal HB2 before we suffer even more as a state.”
GLSEN’s Executive Director, Dr. Eliza Byard, made the following statement in response to the decision: “On behalf of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth across the country, GLSEN thanks the NBA for sending a strong and clear message that discrimination is unacceptable. We know it was not an easy decision. The game would have been held in Charlotte, where the city council banned discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity last year, and where the school system has clearly demonstrated its support for its LGBTQ students, including those transgender students who are particularly targeted by HB 2.
“When the chips are down, true allies make the tough call. Right now, the defense of civil rights for all communities must be front and center for all of us. GLSEN is proud to have partnered with the NBA for many years to ensure its teams, players and staff members are vocal and visible supporters of LGBTQ youth and that all fans feel welcome. It is gratifying to see this long-standing partnership result in a unified front against legislation that is hateful, harmful and unnecessary.
“Sports leagues and other businesses have a vital role to play in upholding core values of diversity, individual dignity and civil rights, especially when elected officials do not do so. We have already seen many companies and individuals act on these ideals by removing their business from North Carolina in response to HB 2 or donating the proceeds of events to LGBTQ organizations. We call on all those corporations and sports leagues who have yet to do so to follow the NBA’s lead and tell legislators that they will not do business in places that discriminate, and where LGBTQ students do not have the opportunity to learn in safe and affirming environments and succeed in school and life.”
