Adam Silver fails to 'stand up for' N.C.'s LGBTQ community, UltraViolet responds

UltraViolet Calls on the NBA to Set a Clear Timetable for Repeal of HB2, or Move the 2017 NBA All-Star Game Out of North Carolina

Last week, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, in conjunction with NBA team owners, announced that they would not be moving the 2017 All-Star Game out of North Carolina at this time.  The decision comes in the wake of the state's new anti-LGBTQ law that prevents transgender individuals from using the bathroom that corresponds with their gender identity, nullifies existing LGBTQ protections passed by North Carolina cities, and prevents the those cities from passing future anti-discrimination measures to protect LGBTQ individuals.

Over the weekend, when asked by a reporter from ESPN on air about the NBA's timetable for making a decision around moving the 2017 All-Star Game, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said:

"First of all, we have ten months until the All-Star Game would take place.  And it's more complicated for us than a concert, for example.  We have a team in Charlotte, North Carolina - and I'm not even sure what statement we would be making by cutting and running now and leaving our team in Charlotte.  And so for us, with a team in Charlotte, we want to work with the business community and elected officials frankly to change the law.  But we didn't think it would be productive to set ultimatums.  We want to work and engage with the people of North Carolina and move away from what is problematic for the League."

Responding to the NBA's decision last week, and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver's announcement over the weekend, Nita Chaudhary, co-founder of UltraViolet, a national women's advocacy organization, issued the following statement slamming the NBA for enabling discrimination:

"North Carolina's new anti-LGBTQ law is more than just 'problematic' -  it is an extreme attack on the LGBTQ community in the State and a threat to queer people everywhere.

Over the weekend, Commissioner Silver wondered what kind of message it would send for the NBA to move the All-Star Game - but by refusing to stand with North Carolina's LGBTQ community, like so many other major companies have done - the NBA is showing that they are afraid to stand up for the fans, and do what is right in the face of hate and discrimination.

"The reality is simple - North Carolina's elected officials have made it clear that they are not going to change this draconian law and by refusing to take a strong stand against HB2, the NBA is choosing to enable discrimination and stand with those who want to spread hate and divide our country."

"If the NBA was serious about standing with North Carolina's LGBTQ community and repealing HB2, they would set a clear timetable for legislative action - and promptly move the All-Star Game out of Charlotte unless it is met.  The people of North Carolina can't wait."
 
More than 44,000 UltraViolet members have signed on to a petition calling on the NBA to move the 2017 All-Star Game since March.  UltraViolet members have also been increasing pressure on PepsiCo, a major sponsor of the 2017 All-Star Game to pull its support unless the NBA moves the event.

The Gayly - 4/18/2016 @ 1:21 p.m. CDT