To: NBA Commissioner Adam Silver
NBA: Only LGBT Fans Allowed at North Carolina All-Star Game
Instead of moving the 2017 All-Star Game from Charlotte because of NC's recent anti-anti-discrimination bill, keep the game in Charlotte—and only let LBGT fans attend.
Why is this important?
Thanks to North Carolina's HB2, passed hastily on the hush-hush, it's legal in the state for businesses to discriminate based on sexual orientation or gender identity. The ACLU has called the law the "most extreme anti-LGBT measure in the country."
Businesses don't like the law and have been speaking out against it, hoping to pressure our state to reconsider. The NBA voiced deep concern that "this discriminatory policy 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."
Losing the All-Star Game would be a tragedy for North Cack. But the NBA is missing the point. The law doesn't have to be anti-LGBT. The game could still be a success, and even take advantage of new freedoms: the NBA could just bar every straight, non-LGBT fan from the game! We could still watch from home, no sweat. It's legal, and surely in the spirit of what Governor Pat McCrory and the legislature had in mind when they passed the bill.
Plus, the after-parties would be great. As a law-abiding North Carolinian, it would make me proud to keep the All-Star Game, and do it like only we can.
Businesses don't like the law and have been speaking out against it, hoping to pressure our state to reconsider. The NBA voiced deep concern that "this discriminatory policy 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."
Losing the All-Star Game would be a tragedy for North Cack. But the NBA is missing the point. The law doesn't have to be anti-LGBT. The game could still be a success, and even take advantage of new freedoms: the NBA could just bar every straight, non-LGBT fan from the game! We could still watch from home, no sweat. It's legal, and surely in the spirit of what Governor Pat McCrory and the legislature had in mind when they passed the bill.
Plus, the after-parties would be great. As a law-abiding North Carolinian, it would make me proud to keep the All-Star Game, and do it like only we can.