The NCAA says it could take the privilege of hosting NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament games away from any location that can’t show proof that it is free of discrimination.
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The board’s decision reaffirms the NCAA commitment to operate championships and events that promote an inclusive atmosphere in which student-athletes participate, coaches and administrators lead and fans engage. But several other states have also considered similar laws, including Virginia, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Tennessee, where Gov. Bill Haslam (R) recently signed into effect a law that allows counselors and therapists to refuse to treat LGBT clients based on “sincerely held principles” that do not have to based on morality or religious beliefs.
The release said the requirement is being integrated into a process that covers everything from access to people with disabilities to practice facilities. The NCAA prohibits states from hosting championships if they display the Confederate flag and doesn’t allow schools to host championships if they have team nicknames that are deemed offensive to Native Americans.
The higher education community is a diverse mix of people from different racial, ethnic, religious and sexual orientation backgrounds. “So it is important that we assure that community… will always enjoy the experience of competing and watching at NCAA championships without concerns of discrimination”.
Indiana Sports Corp. President Ryan Vaugn said he wasn’t surprised by the new rule. That bill prohibits cities and municipalities in the state from implementing their own anti-discrimination laws.
The NCAA also said it has a history of using “the opportunity to host its events” as a way to “make clear its values”.
“In 2005 to have the foresight to put a human rights ordinance on our books as a city was very progressive at the time to say we’re going to protect those in our LGBT community are welcomed and protected”, he said.
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In North Carolina, HB2, which was signed into law in March, overturned a Charlotte measure that allowed transgender people to use the restroom that confirms with their gender rather than birth identity. Some have called for the NCAA to cross North Carolina off its list of possible host cities. Those events include the NCAA men’s basketball tournament and the Division I Women’s College Cup soccer finals. In 2018, more NCAA events are scheduled for Indianapolis including the association’s annual convention.
