NBA Rumors: All-Star Game 2017 Moved Out From North Carolina Due To Anti-LGBT And Religious Issues

By Jenn Loro - 10 Apr '16 10:30AM

North Carolina is currently under fire for passing what many would consider as a law institutionalizing discrimination. Just recently, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver officially announced that the league now drops Charlotte, North Carolina from hosting the 2017 All-Star game after the controversial passage of anti-LGBT House Bill 2 into law.

"With this new law in place, Charlotte currently does not have any anti-discrimination protection in place, something that would be vital for a large event such as the All-Star Game," Silver announced as quoted by ABC News. "We are giving the state of North Carolina 30 days to repeal this law or they can expect the 2017 All-Star game to be held elsewhere. I want to make it clear that the NBA will not stand for this type of intolerance and hate."

Weeks after the highly contentious the Public Facilities Privacy & Security Act was passed, civil rights organizations, companies, celebrities, and prominent American figures quickly condemned the law for being discriminatory.

The controversial law allegedly bars transgender people to go the public restrooms according to their altered biological sex. The law requires everyone to use the designated toilets based on the sex stated on the person's birth certificate.

As sign of protest, over 100 companies including Silicon Valley giants Facebook and Apple are planning to move their businesses elsewhere. Rock star Bruce Springsteen recently cancelled his Greensboro concert to express his opposition to the law.

In addition, NBA legend Charles Barkley became the latest celebrity to condemn the latest anti-LGBT law.

"As a black person, I'm against any form of discrimination - against whites, Hispanics, gays, lesbians, however you want to phrase it," said Barkley as reported by Huffington Post. "It's my job, with the position of power that I'm in and being able to be on television, I'm supposed to stand up for the people who can't stand up for themselves. So, I think the NBA should move the All-Star game from Charlotte."

Meanwhile, North Carolina is not the only one mulling on passing similar legislation. A similar anti-LGBT law has recently received unanimous approval from the state legislature of Georgia until it was vetoed by Governor Nathan Deal as mentioned in a report by Towler Road.