Last week, two major sports organizations firmly rejected LGBT discrimination with potentially game-changing announcements.
First, the NBA announced it will move its 2017 All Star championship game from Charlotte, North Carolina in response to legislators’ refusal to remedy HB 2—a sweeping new anti-LGBT law that bans restroom access for transgender North Carolinians, among other discriminatory measures.
For months, businesses large and small, sports organizations (including the NBA), and local advocacy groups attempted to work with lawmakers to find a solution to the heinous law. However, lawmakers refused to negotiate.
“[Host cities must] demonstrate how they will provide an environment that is safe, healthy, and free of discrimination, plus safeguards the dignity of everyone involved in the event.” -NCAA
As a result, and at strong urging from local LGBT advocacy organizations, the NBA decided to relocate its 2017 All Star games to a city that better ensures equal protections for its LGBT fans, athletes, and coaches.
Shortly after this long-awaited decision, the NCAA released an updated survey for host bids, which includes new questions designed to weed out cities that allow for LGBT discrimination.
JUST IN: New @NCAA questionnaire seeks to address anti-#LGBT discrimination: https://t.co/s7tVPPNZuZ #AllStarGame pic.twitter.com/jf7I7i2fcD
— Georgia Unites (@GeorgiaUnites) July 22, 2016
This comes several months after the governing board instated new regulations for host cities, saying they must “demonstrate how they will provide an environment that is safe, healthy, and free of discrimination, plus safeguards the dignity of everyone involved in the event.”
Major national sports organizations aren’t the only ones taking a stand for LGBT inclusion. Local sports teams are also speaking out—including the Life University women’s rugby team. Click here to read about their experience competing in North Carolina just months after the state passed one of the most egregious anti-LGBT bills in the country—and how it inspired them to take action.
SHARE THIS STORY