NCLR says NCAA “threw in the towel,” chose to “stand down in the face of discrimination”

(April 4, 2017 San Francisco)—Today, the NCAA Board of Governors issued its position on recent revisions to North Carolina’s HB2, the controversial law that repealed local anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQ people, rolled back civil rights protections for other groups, and imposed draconian restrictions on transgender people’s ability to use common restrooms in public spaces. In a press statement, the NCAA Board of Governors acknowledged that it had been “hopeful that the state would fully repeal HB2.” However, the NCAA backed down on its prior commitment and announced that it will again consider bringing NCAA championship games back to North Carolina. According to a press statement, a majority of its board of governors “reluctantly voted to allow consideration” of cities in the state. 

National Center for Lesbian Rights Executive Director Kate Kendell, Esq. issued the following statement in response:

“Every day, LGBTQ athletes show courage on the field, on the courts, and in competitive spaces across the country without giving up or calling it quits. But today, the NCAA threw in the towel and backed down on its promise to take a stand for LGBTQ athletes and North Carolinians.

The National Center for Lesbian Rights is deeply disappointed that the NCAA Board of Governors has chosen to stand down in the face of discrimination. But unlike the NCAA, NCLR has not thrown in the towel; we will continue our work and will hold the NCAA to its promise to ensure that any contracts in North Carolina include equal treatment of transgender athletes with regard to restrooms and in all aspects.”