North Carolina’s HB2 legislation has been a topic of conversation for months, now. At its core, the bill has been criticized for its discrimination of the transgender community.
Many companies have placed pressure on the North Carolina legislature and governor to revise or eliminate this law. The NBA was among the first to take an action as it decided to move the 2017 All-Star Game away from Charlotte and place it in New Orleans instead. Recently, the NCAA made a similar move regarding the March Madness tournament.
Now, a public individual figure is stepping up and speaking out as well. Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry spoke to the Associated Press about the issue. As a North Carolina native, Curry’s message holds just a little more weight:
“I think it’s unfortunate for our city and our state to be under the microscope with HB2 and how it’s unfolded,” Curry said in an interview with The Associated Press. “I’m all for equal and fair rights and treatment for everybody. Until it gets addressed, until some changes are made, this could be a recurring theme in North Carolina. I don’t want that happen.”
It’s not a particularly strong statement from the two-time MVP but it is a positive change in his own behavior. Curry has notoriously been quiet or non-committal when asked about the law previously. That is possibly due to Curry’s religious affiliation as the church that he attends in NC is known for its strong, negative sentiments towards the LGBT community.
But Curry is starting to speak out against the law and calling for change. That’s a positive step for a player who recently expressed his support of Colin Kaepernick’s protest in the NFL, as well. Stephen Curry’s words hold weight in North Carolina and he can help bring some changes if he uses them correctly.