The National Basketball Association announced today that it will relocate the 2017 All-Star game from Charlotte, North Carolina, over objections to the state’s contested bathroom legislation. The law requires people to use gender-separated bathrooms and changing rooms according to the sex on their birth certificates, which prevents transgender people from choosing their facilities.
The NBA described the “climate” surrounding the law as out of step with the goals of its All-Star week:
“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.”
The organization stated that it would select a new location in the coming weeks, though New Orleans has already emerged as a favorite, Yahoo Sports reported.
