The state of North Carolina is set to pass a law on April 1st of this year that’s goal is “blocking local governments from passing anti-discrimination rules to grant protections to gay and transgender people.” This law was passed in order to counteract an ordinance by the city of Charlotte that would have protected LGBT people from being discriminated against by businesses.
This recently-signed legislation enraged many people, and there have been many suggestions that the NBA move its 2017 All-Star Weekend festivities, which are currently set to be held in Charlotte, to another city.
The NBA released a statement today regarding the situation:
“The NBA is dedicated to creating an inclusive environment for all who attend our games and events. We are deeply concerned that this discriminatory law runs counter to our guiding principles of equality and mutual respect and do not yet know what impact it will have on our ability to successfully host the 2017 All-Star Game in Charlotte.”
Now, the state of North Carolina must make a choice: to repeal this legislation, or live with the fact that the NBA may, and probably will, cancel an event which would be massive for the city of Charlotte.
