GLSEN statement on NBA move of All-Star Game out of North Carolina
New York (July 21, 2016) – GLSEN’s Executive Director, Dr. Eliza Byard, made the following statement in response to NBA Commissioner Adam Silver’s announcement that the 2017 All-Star Game will not be held in Charlotte, N.C., as planned. The move is in response to HB 2, the anti-lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) law passed by the North Carolina General Assembly and signed by Governor Pat McCrory after the Charlotte City Council passed an LGBT-inclusive nondiscrimination ordinance.
"On behalf of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth across the country, GLSEN thanks the NBA for sending a strong and clear message that discrimination is unacceptable. We know it was not an easy decision. The game would have been held in Charlotte, where the city council banned discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity last year, and where the school system has clearly demonstrated its support for its LGBTQ students, including those transgender students who are particularly targeted by HB 2.
"When the chips are down, true allies make the tough call. Right now, the defense of civil rights for all communities must be front and center for all of us. GLSEN is proud to have partnered with the NBA for many years to ensure its teams, players and staff members are vocal and visible supporters of LGBTQ youth and that all fans feel welcome. It is gratifying to see this long-standing partnership result in a unified front against legislation that is hateful, harmful and unnecessary.
“Sports leagues and other businesses have a vital role to play in upholding core values of diversity, individual dignity and civil rights, especially when elected officials do not do so. We have already seen many companies and individuals act on these ideals by removing their business from North Carolina in response to HB 2 or donating the proceeds of events to LGBTQ organizations. We call on all those corporations and sports leagues who have yet to do so to follow the NBA’s lead and tell legislators that they will not do business in places that discriminate, and where LGBTQ students do not have the opportunity to learn in safe and affirming environments and succeed in school and life.”
The latest edition of GLSEN’s National School Climate Survey found that LGBTQ students who experienced discrimination and bullying and harassment at school were more than three times as likely to have missed school in the past month as those who did not, had lower GPAs, and had lower self-esteem and higher levels of depression. GLSEN has created model laws and policies for schools, districts and states to ensure LGBTQ students are safe and affirmed at school, including a model district policy for accommodating transgender and gender nonconforming students that complies with Title IX.
About GLSEN: GLSEN champions safe and affirming schools for all students. We envision a world in which every child learns to respect and accept all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. Each year, GLSEN programs and resources reach tens of thousands of K-12 schools across the United States, and our network of chapters brings GLSEN’s expertise to their local communities. GLSEN's progress and impact have won support for our work at all levels of education in the United States and sparked an international movement to ensure equality for LGBTQ students and respect for all in schools. For more information on GLSEN’s policy advocacy, student leadership initiatives, public education, research and educator training programs, please visit glsen.org.
The Gayly – July 22, 2016 @ 3 p.m.