Statements in response to NBA pulling All-Star Game out of Charlotte

"These groups, along with Jennifer Roberts and Roy Cooper, pushed for Charlotte's radical bathroom ordinance in the first place, and then blocked any attempt at bipartisan compromise. North Carolina had the NBA before they pushed their radical agenda, and these groups must accept responsibility for driving the NBA from North Carolina." – Ricky Diaz, McCrory Campaign Spokesman

Mayor Jennifer Roberts:

"I am deeply disappointed that the discriminatory actions reflected in HB2 have caused the NBA to move the 2017 All-Star Game from Charlotte. All-Star weekend would have provided an excellent opportunity to further showcase our great and welcoming city. Charlotte has shown its commitment to equal rights and inclusion and will continue to promote those values.

I am encouraged that Charlotte has the opportunity to host the game in 2019 if changes to HB2 are made and I encourage the state to take action as soon as possible. I appreciate the NBA and our Charlotte Hornets being such strong champions of equality."

Charlotte Chamber Statement:

Charlotte has been and will continue to be a city that embraces and promotes diversity, inclusiveness and equality.  We oppose discrimination in all forms.

We are disappointed that the NBA All-Star Game is being moved elsewhere but appreciative of the league’s willingness to continue to consider Charlotte for the 2019 All-Star Game.

We will continue working with local, state and federal representatives to pursue policy solutions that uphold fairness and equality for everyone.  We will continue to work to ensure that Charlotte continues to be on open, welcoming and safe city for all people, including members of the LGBT community.

Governor Pat McCrory:

“The sports and entertainment elite, Attorney General Roy Cooper and the liberal media have for months misrepresented our laws and maligned the people of North Carolina simply because most people believe boys and girls should be able to use school bathrooms, locker rooms and showers without the opposite sex present.

Twenty-one other states have joined North Carolina to challenge the federal overreach by the Obama administration mandating their bathroom policies in all businesses and schools instead of allowing accommodations for unique circumstances.

Left-wing special interest groups have no moral authority to try and intimidate the large majority of American parents who agree in common-sense bathroom and shower privacy for our children. American families should be on notice that the selective corporate elite are imposing their political will on communities on which they do business in, thus bypassing the democratic and legal process.”

Charlotte Regional Visitor Authority:

“The CRVA is saddened that Charlotte will no longer have the opportunity to host the 2017 NBA All-Star Game.

We hope to be able to work with the NBA in the future to show them the inclusive and welcoming spirit our community prides itself on as well as the strong event management expertise our team and our city can provide.

We’ll continue to work to bring events and conventions that create substantial economic impact to Charlotte and strive to make every visitor feel welcome in our community.”

Robert Pittenger release: 

Last week, I met with constituents from China who outlined the Chinese gove=ent practice of forcefully harvesting vital organs as part of their oppression of religious minorities. Meanwhile, the NBA will start selling tickets for preseason games in China next week.

Is the NBA implying China's abhorrent violation of basic human rights is acceptable, but North Carolina saying men shouldn't use the girls' locker room is a bridge too far? What is the NBA's true priority? The unmistakable hypocrisy is clear to me.

Please justify how you can be engaged with a country who has flagrantly violated human rights with forced abortions and selling vital human organs. There seems to be a gross lack of judgment and moral clarity.

Speaker Tim Moore Statement on NBA All-Star Game:

Speaker Tim Moore (R-Cleveland) issued the following statement regarding the NBA's decision to move the 2017 All-Star Game:

"I am disappointed to learn of the NBA's decision to move its All-Star Game away from Charlotte.  While the City itself set the forces in motion that ultimately led to this outcome, it is unfortunate that Charlotte will not be hosting this event next year.  We will continue to advocate that North Carolina is a great place to live, do business and to visit and will not let the decision on one event dampen our efforts to continue moving North Carolina forward."

Congresswoman Alma Adams:

"Gov. McCrory and the Republican led State Legislature have yet again allowed their hate to cause irreparable harm to our great state. HB2 has had unprecedented effects on our state and local economies including substantial job and revenue losses. The NBA's decision to move the All-Star festivities will cost the City of Charlotte an upwards of $117 million in revenue. As a former Mayor of the Queen City, McCrory should be ashamed. We must reverse this disastrous hate bill. We can no longer afford its ill-effects. We deserve better than this kind of reckless leadership."

NC Rep. Scott Stone:

Charlotte-area Representative Scott Stone, cited Mayor Jennifer Roberts' and Attorney General Roy Cooper's activities as a major reason for the NBA's actions.

"Mayor Roberts started the entire bathroom debate by pushing a divisive ordinance over the strong objections of Charlotte citizens," said Rep. Stone. "Despite the subsequent negative publicity which adversely impacted our city, she was completely unwilling to take any action to mitigate the mess she caused. Mayor Roberts put ultra-liberal special interest groups, such as MeckPAC and the Human Rights Campaign, ahead of her constituents. Mayor Roberts put politics ahead of the people."

While HB2 was passed in response to Charlotte's Bathroom Ordinance, members of the North Carolina General Assembly were considering a variety of potential modifications to the law during the recent Short Session. "It is not uncommon for legislators to make revisions or improvements to existing legislation," Rep. Stone said. "It is unfortunate that Attorney General Roy Cooper's reported sabotage of changes to the law appears to have had a significant impact on any potential bi-partisan compromise. Attorney General Cooper did not want to see any of the controversies put behind us. He wanted to try to use this issue in his campaign for governor. Roy Cooper put politics ahead of the people of North Carolina."

"Despite Mayor Roberts' lack of willingness to do the right thing, and despite Attorney General Cooper's sabotage of potential bi-partisan changes the state law, the North Carolina General Assembly still passed changes to HB2."

HB169, passed on July1st, reinstated the ability of members of the LGBT community to sue for discrimination in state court, which had widely been seen as the most controversial portion of the original law.

Stone also expressed frustration with the NBA over its decision to move the All-Star game from Charlotte.

"Charlotte tax payers were reluctant to pay $27 million for arena upgrades at the NBA's request, on top of another $6 million as a cost for hosting the event," Rep. Stone said. "To see the NBA yield to pressures and move the game over politics is disrespectful to the people of Charlotte who have supported the Hornets, and the league, for years."

Rep. Stone also cited hypocrisy and inconsistency regarding the NBA's policies and decisions. "The NBA appears proud of its recent expansion in China last year with two pre-season games there despite the country's long history of human rights abuses including to the LBGT community. There is a clear inconsistency with the league's policies."

The campaign for Deborah Ross, Democratic Nominee for US Senate:

Statement from "Richard Burr has gone from saying HB2 doesn't discriminate and insisting it won't hurt business, to saying it's gone too far, and since then complete silence,” Cole Leiter, press secretary, said. “The NBA's decision to move the All-Star Game away from North Carolina is a perfect example of what happens when folks who are supposed to stand up for our state refuse to show leadership. While Richard Burr will say anything - or nothing, to save his job, it's clear that Burr's self-interest ranks higher than North Carolinians' jobs and our businesses on his priority list. We need a US Senator who has the courage to stand up for what's right when it matters. North Carolinians can trust Deborah to do just that."

Human Rights Coalition/ Equality NC release

Despite warnings from NBA, North Carolina state legislature refused to repeal hateful HB2 law

Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) civil rights organization, and Equality NC, the statewide organization working to secure equal rights and justice for LGBTQ North Carolinians, hailed the NBA's decision to stand up to North Carolina lawmakers who refused to repeal HB2 by pulling its 2017 All-Star Game from Charlotte, NC. Despite the NBA's repeated warnings that it would have to consider moving the high-profile game out of the state if the anti-LGBTQ law was not repealed, the state's General Assembly shamefully adjourned after 100 days of inaction earlier this month.

"Today the NBA and Commissioner Silver sent a clear message that they won't stand for discrimination against LGBTQ employees, players or fans," said HRC President Chad Griffin. "The NBA repeatedly warned state lawmakers that their hateful HB2 law created an inhospitable environment for their 2017 All-Star Game and other events. Nevertheless, Governor McCrory, Senator Berger and Speaker Moore doubled down on HB2 and refused to undo their discriminatory and costly error in judgment. Every day that HB2 remains on the books, people across North Carolina are at risk of real harm. We appreciate the leadership of the NBA in standing up for equality and call once again on lawmakers to repeal this vile HB2 law."

"North Carolina General Assembly leadership and Governor McCrory repeatedly ignored the warning bells as businesses, conferences and entertainers left the state. From the beginning, NBA leadership has been clear that HB2 creates an untenable situation and jeopardizes the safety and comfort of their fans. The withdraw of the 2017 NBA All-Star Game in Charlotte came as the NBA took a principled stand against the discriminatory HB2 and the failure to repeal HB2 by Senate Leader Berger, Speaker Moore and Governor McCrory," said Equality NC Executive Director Chris Sgro.

"When the City of Charlotte passed vital LGBT protections from discrimination last year, they made themselves a more competitive city for events like the All-Star Game. McCrory, Berger, and Moore have continued to put North Carolina in economic harm's way with the worst anti-LGBT bill in the nation, despite the best efforts of Charlotte city leaders to keep the game. We applaud the NBA for its commitment to all fans, and hope that North Carolina's leadership will heed this wakeup call and repeal HB2 before we suffer even more as a state."

The North Carolina General Assembly adjourned its short session earlier this month after refusing to repeal HB2, and it is not scheduled to reconvene until January -- leaving tens of thousands of people at risk for discrimination and harm over the months to come. Lawmakers made only one tweak to the deeply discriminatory law, restoring the right to sue in state court based on the limited number of characteristics that already were protected by state law.

Despite widespread opposition to HB2, the General Assembly has been unwilling to even consider repealing the substance of the discriminatory law, including its ban on transgender people accessing restrooms consistent with their gender identity in government offices and schools, and its removal of municipalities' ability to pass LGBTQ-inclusive nondiscrimination laws and minimum wage ordinances.

The economic fallout from HB2 has also continued, as companies concerned with protecting their consumers and employees have moved conventions, trainings, operations, and productions out of state. Just yesterday, Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski called the bill "embarrassing" and North Carolina State coach Mark Gottfried said it "appalled" and "embarrassed" him.

In the nearly four months since Governor McCrory and state lawmakers rammed HB2 into law, the outcry has continued to grow:

More than 200 major CEOs and business leaders signed an open letter calling for full repeal of HB2 -- including many of North Carolina's largest employers.

Major film studios and corporations, from PayPal to Deutsche Bank, have stopped investments in the state because of the new law's threat to employees and consumers. Conventions have withdrawn from the state, taking substantial revenue with them. Since the law has been in effect, the Tar Heel State has alreadytaken a hit of at least $329.9 million in lost business, and in taxpayer money used to defend the measure -- including funding Gov. Pat McCrory's road trips to explain why he signed discrimination into law.

Artists including Beyoncé, Bruce Springsteen, Dead & Company, and Cyndi Lauper have spoken out.

Under HB2, North Carolina cities also no longer qualify to host NCAA events because the organization announced it will no longer hold its events, including the Final Four, in cities that do not have LGBTQ-inclusive non-discrimination laws. And following the spirit of New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo's executive order banning publicly funded, non-essential travel to North Carolina, Albany cancelled their Nov. 12 game against Duke.

In May, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed suit in federal court, stating that HB2's state-mandated discrimination against transgender people, including government workers and students, violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1965, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and the Violence Against Women Act of 2011.

Joined by 68 major companies, HRC filed an amicus brief in support of DOJ's effort to block some of the most egregious and discriminatory components of HB2.

The Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer equality. HRC envisions a world where LGBTQ people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community.

Equality NC is a statewide organization working to secure equal rights and justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender North Carolinians. For more information, please visit

NC Values release

Tami Fitzgerald, Executive Director of NC Values Coalition issued the following statement this afternoon after USA Today reported that NBA Commissioner Adam Silver plans to announce the League will move the 2017 All-Star game from Charlotte to New Orleans, LA.  "We are disappointed that Commissioner Silver has decided to cancel the League's commitment to the City of Charlotte, the Charlotte Hornets, and the people of North Carolina over the League's desire to give in to the bullying by radical left-wing groups like the Human Rights Campaign and Equality NC.

The League has decided that advancing a political agenda that embraces allowing grown men into the bathrooms and showers of young girls is more important than protecting the privacy and safety of their fans. Our telephone conversations with the customer service staff at the Superdome Box Office this week indicate the stadium in New Orleans has the same bathroom policies as Time Warner Arena in Charlotte.

It is ironic that the NBA would choose to relocate their All-Star game to the State of Louisiana since last month the state joined North Carolina and 22 other states to stop President Obama's transgender bathroom directive granting boys access into girls' bathrooms, locker rooms and shower facilities in schools and universities. 20 years ago this year, the NBA recognized the innate biological differences between men and women and created the WNBA to provide opportunities for women to play a sport they love with other women.

Today, the NBA denies these biological differences and seeks to force women to compromise their privacy and safety in the stadiums in which their leagues play.

This is hypocrisy at its worse and yet another example of the bullying and deceitful tactics opponents of privacy and freedom are making.

The NBA should be ashamed of itself for using North Carolina-particularly its young girls-as a political pawn for an out-of-touch agenda that compromises both dignity interests and privacy rights. The NBA issued guidance last year that teams and leagues must invest more in family-friendly sponsorships and activation campaigns to make their events more family-friendly.

Today's decision to force men and women into the same bathroom facilities demonstrates that the league is abandoning their pro-family policies in favor of big business sponsorship dollars. Families can no longer look to the National Basketball Association as a pro-family organization.

We would expect the league to reimburse the city and its partners for the taxpayer funds that have been used to renovate Time Warner Arena and plan for the 2017 NBA All-Star game since the city and state have honored their commitment to the NBA."

The NBA issued the following statement Thursday regarding the 2017 NBA All-Star Game:

“Since March, when North Carolina enacted HB2 and the issue of legal protections for the LGBT community in Charlotte became prominent, the NBA and the Charlotte Hornets have been working diligently to foster constructive dialogue and try to effect positive change,” the NBA said in a news release. “We have been guided in these discussions by the long-standing core values of our league. These include not only diversity, inclusion, fairness and respect for others but also the willingness to listen and consider opposing points of view.”

Our week-long schedule of All-Star events and activities is intended to be a global celebration of basketball, our league and the values for which we stand, and to bring together all members of the NBA community – current and former players, league and team officials, business partners and fans.

While we recognize that the NBA cannot choose the law in every city, state and country in which we do business, we do not believe we can successfully host our All-Star festivities in Charlotte in the climate created by HB2.

We are particularly mindful of the impact of this decision on our fans in North Carolina, who are among the most passionate in our league.

It is also important to stress that the City of Charlotte and the Hornets organization have sought to provide an inclusive environment and that the Hornets will continue to ensure that all patrons – including members of the LGBT community – feel welcome while attending games and events in their arena.

We look forward to re-starting plans for our All-Star festivities in Charlotte for 2019 provided there is an appropriate resolution to this matter.

The NBA will make an announcement on the new location of the 2017 NBA All-Star Game in the coming weeks.”

The Charlotte Hornets and Chairman Michael Jordan Thursday released the following statement regarding the 2017 NBA All-Star Game:

“We understand the NBA’s decision and the challenges around holding the NBA All-Star Game in Charlotte this season.

There was an exhaustive effort from all parties to keep the event in Charlotte, and we are disappointed we were unable to do so.

With that said, we are pleased that the NBA opened the door for Charlotte to host All-Star Weekend again as soon as an opportunity was available in 2019. We want to thank the City of Charlotte and the business community for their backing throughout this entire process, starting with the initial bid.

We are confident that they will be just as supportive and enthusiastic for the 2019 NBA All-Star Game.”

Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation

"New Orleans has demonstrated time and again our ability to successfully host some of the largest and most visible sporting events and celebrations in the world, including the 2008 and 2014 NBA All-Star Games. We will do everything possible to assist the NBA, Mr. and Mrs. Benson and the New Orleans Pelicans in their efforts, if called upon."

New Orleans mayor statement  

"The NBA has been a great partner, so we would be excited to host the 2017 All Star Game if called upon.

"New Orleans is a diverse, open and inviting city, and we pride ourselves on our ability to host major sports entertainment events."

PGA statement:

“The PGA of America strongly opposes North Carolina HB2. It contradicts our commitment to create an inclusive and welcoming environment at our events. We remain hopeful that the law will be changed.

Since the Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte is a private facility not subject to all of the provisions of HB2, at the 2017 PGA Championship we plan to allow spectators to use the restroom that conforms with their gender identity or gender expression.

As we look to future events, our willingness to consider coming back to the State of North Carolina will be severely impacted unless HB2 is overturned."

CIAA statement:

“The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) understands that the NBA’s decision to relocate the 2017 All-Star Game was made in the best interest of their organization.

The CIAA strongly disagrees with House Bill 2 and does not support any form of discrimination. We are committed to our Charlotte community and have no intentions to relocate our headquarters or the upcoming Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournament. As we assess current and future championship locations, the CIAA will ensure that the host city and venue demonstrate a commitment to provide inclusive and non-discriminatory practices. In addition, the Conference will continue to collaborate with organizations and its member institutions to educate, implement, and tell a story that will leave a lasting impact and establish change in our communities.”