North Carolina’s Public Facilities Privacy and Security Bill have drawn another major boycott. The NCAA recently announced its decision to remove seven previously scheduled championship events from the state, including the first and second round games of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament.
In July, the NBA decided to move its All Star Game from Charlotte to New Orleans over the bill.
The NCAA released its decision Monday:
“Fairness is about more than the opportunity to participate in college sports, or even compete for championships,” said Mark Emmert, NCAA president. “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 decided to move the events based on these factors:
North Carolina laws invalidate any local law that treats sexual orientation as a protected class or has a purpose to prevent discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender individuals.North Carolina has the only statewide law that makes it unlawful to use a restroom different from the gender on one’s birth certificate, regardless of gender identity.North Carolina law provides legal protections for government officials to refuse services to the LGBT community.Five states plus numerous cities prohibit travel to North Carolina for public employees and representatives of public institutions, which could include student-athletes and campus athletics staff. These states are New York, Minnesota, Washington, Vermont and Connecticut.
The NBA move was considered big, but the NCAA jumping aboard the boycott train could create massive waves in the state. College basketball is YUGE in North Carolina, home to powerhouses Duke and UNC, one of the biggest rivalries in all of sports. North Carolina has also, “hosted 251 tournament games since 1951.”
North Carolina’s GOP lashed out at the decision:
This is so absurd it’s almost comical. I genuinely look forward to the NCAA merging all men’s and women’s teams together as singular, unified, unisex teams. Under the NCAA’s logic, colleges should make cheerleaders and football players share bathrooms, showers and hotel rooms. This decision is an assault to female athletes across the nation. If you are unwilling to have women’s bathrooms and locker rooms, how do you have a women’s team? I wish the NCAA was this concerned about the women who were raped at Baylor. Perhaps the NCAA should stop with their political peacocking — and instead focus their energies on making sure our nation’s collegiate athletes are safe, both on and off the field.
The NBA cited the same reasons for moving their All Star game. It said Charlotte could host the game in 2019 if the government changes the law.
Artists and businesses have also boycotted North Carolina, including Bryan Adams, PayPal, Pepsi, and Hyatt hotels. Weirdly enough, though, none of them have boycotted places that actually arrest and detain transgender people.
CLICK HERE FOR FULL VERSION OF THIS STORY