North Carolina to vote to repeal 'bathroom law', but will changes sway NCAA?
Legislators in North Carolina are scheduled to vote Thursday to repeal its "bathroom law," the same day of an NCAA-imposed deadline that would bar the state from hosting NCAA championship events from 2018-22.
While lawmakers could make that deadline, it wasn’t immediately known if proposed changes would be enough to sway the NCAA as LGBTQ activists blasted the compromise proposal on social media minutes after Republican leaders in North Carolina’s house and senate announced a deal had been struck late Wednesday night.
“This proposal is a train wreck that would double down on anti-LGBTQ discrimination. North Carolinians want a clean repeal of HB2, and we urge our allies not to sell us out,” Chris Sgro, Equality NC executive director, said in a statement. “Those who stand for equality and with LGBTQ people are standing strong against these antics. We've got less than 24 hours before the NCAA deadline. There is no time to waste — our leaders must fight for what’s right, and that is full repeal.”
The bill — which could be approved by lawmakers and ready for Gov. Roy Cooper to sign by Thursday night — adds a provision that forbids municipalities from enacting non-discrimination safeguards for those in the LGBTQ community.
“It’s not a perfect deal, but it repeals House Bill 2 and begins to repair our reputation,” Cooper said in a statement.
More:
N.C. lawmakers announce deal to repeal 'bathroom bill'
NCAA warns N.C. to repeal HB2 or no championships through 2022
Coach K, Roy Williams reiterate opposition to North Carolina bathroom bill
Scott Dupree, the executive director of the Greater Raleigh Sports Alliance, said he was told by “a contact very close to the NCAA” that Thursday was the cutoff to be considered for future NCAA tournaments.
The NCAA previously had chose to relocate this year’s men’s basketball regional in Greensboro, N.C. The North Carolina Sports Association claimed in a letter to lawmakers that the state could lose an estimated $250 million in economic impact if HB2 wasn’t repealed.
“Last year, the NCAA Board of Governors relocated NCAA championships scheduled in North Carolina because of the cumulative impact HB2 had on local communities’ ability to assure a safe, healthy, discrimination free atmosphere for all those watching and participating in our event,” the NCAA said in a statement last week. “Absent any change in the law, our position remains the same regarding hosting current or future events in the state.”
There have been many unsuccessful attempts to repeal the bill since September when the NCAA relocated its championship events because of its inclusive initiative, which came on the heels of the NBA relocating its All-Star game from Charlotte. Despite losing millions from the removal of athletic events and concerts and despite then-Gov. Pat McCrory, who signed the bill, the GOP-controlled legislature was reluctant to rescinded the bill.
Contributing: Scott Gleason, USA TODAY.