Equality NC blames McCrory for All-Star Game loss

Standing in front of what was to be the home of the 2017 NBA All-Star game, Equality NC, a gay rights advocacy group, said Gov. Pat McCrory was to blame for the damages caused by House Bill 2.

The NBA Thursday said it was moving the game because of HB2. That law nullified Charlotte’s expanded nondiscrimination ordinance that extended legal protection for gay, lesbian and transgender individuals. It also requires transgender people to use the bathroom that corresponds with the gender on their birth certificate in government buildings.

“It is not just fans that are disappointed, it’s the countless small business owners and working class Charlotteans that would have benefited from this event,” said Equality NC executive director Chris Sgro, who is also in the N.C. House.

N.C. Gov. Pat McCrory said the NBA’s decision to move its 2017 All-Star game from Charlotte is “total P.C. (politically correct) BS.”

“I’m disappointed,” McCrory said while speaking on WFAE’s Charlotte Talks radio program Friday morning. “I strongly disagree with their decision. To put it bluntly it’s total P.C. BS. It’s an insult to our city and an insult to our state.”

John Aurty, a Charlotte City council member, said that the city will continue to do everything to be inclusive of LGBT community members.

Sgro said that the law jeopardizes young professionals and future events coming to Charlotte.

Erica Lachowitz, a member of the transgender community who’s on the LGBT Charlotte Chamber of Commerce, thanked businesses that are standing with the LGBT community in North Carolina.

“These companies are sending a message that we matter,” she said.

This story was originally published July 22, 2016 at 11:58 AM with the headline "Equality NC blames McCrory for All-Star Game loss."