Share

ACC pulls championship out of North Carolina over LGBT law

The NCAA announced it will pull all championship events from the state.

Advertisement

In July, the National Basketball Association pulled its 2017 All-Star Game from Charlotte over objections to H.B. 2.

“The ACC Council of Presidents made it clear that the core values of this league are of the utmost importance, and the opposition to any form of discrimination is paramount”, ACC Commissioner John Swofford said in the statement.

Following the NCAA’s decision on Monday to remove upcoming tournaments from North Carolina, the ACC followed suit, removing neutral site 2016-17 tournament games from the state.

HB 2 has been roundly criticized across the country with Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski telling USA Today the law was “embarrassing”. “However, we regret today’s decision will negatively affect many North Carolinians, especially in the affected host communities”, the statement read. “Now, we’re an NCAA championship city and we don’t host NCAA championships”, he said.

The HB2 law came about because Charlotte adopted some very liberal laws which caused the state government to enact HB2 to counteract Charlotte.

Fresh off hosting one of the biggest games so far this season when the city hosted Florida State’s season-opening win over Ole Miss, it proved more than ready for primetime events.

As he did Tuesday in response to the NCAA’s move, Republican Gov.

The law in question has become commonly known as the “bathroom bill” due to its freaky and unprecedented provision requiring transgender individuals to use bathrooms at public facilities that correspond to the gender on their birth certificates. “Again, it’s reflecting wrong on the people of North Carolina”.

McCrory and his allies blame the Human Rights Campaign, the “sports and entertainment elite” and Democrats for conspiring to make an example out of North Carolina on LGBT rights.

Sen. Rick Gunn of Burlington said in a statement late Wednesday he’s concerned about the effect House Bill 2 is having on the state and the region he represents and believes it’s time to modify or possibly repeal it. “And honestly, I think it’s going to continue if HB2 is not repealed”.

Greensboro was set to host first- and second-round games of the men’s basketball tournament. So it appears that like many North Carolinians, they’re waiting to see if the November elections change the political climate in the state and the problem handles itself.

Advertisement

Earnest, who called the law “mean-spirited” when it was enacted in March, said HB2 isn’t just contrary to the values of Americans who oppose discrimination, but also “inconsistent with a smart business strategy”.

2014 ACC Football Championship Game