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The Charlotte Hornets and NBA released a statement today in response to recent changes that are being drafted for the HB2 bill currently in North Carolina legislature. For those that want to see the All-Star game in Charlotte it's not a great sign.
NBA and Hornets release statement RE: NBA’s involvement in amended HB2 legislation currently before NC legislature: pic.twitter.com/Yfzrfcz8vl
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) June 30, 2016
The NBA season only just came to an end so there is still time for the NBA, North Carolina legislature, and LGBT groups to work together and create changes that all parties find acceptable, or to possibly repeal HB2 all together. The NBA did not say that they're giving up on North Carolina entirely. In the statement they said "We do not endorse the bill that we understand is currently before the legislature" They also said that "no decision has been made regarding the 2017 NBA All-Star Game." However, the time to give a city reasonable turn around to prepare for an event like the All-Star game is running short. One has to wonder if the NBA is beginning to consider alternative locations.
To be honest, that neither the NBA or the Hornets support the drafted changes that were reported recently is not surprising at all. The bill still felt discriminatory against the LGBT community, and there was very little feeling of it being done out of compassion, but instead a fear of losing more businesses and events like the All-Star game. It's time for North Carolina legislature to stop looking for loopholes, and do the right thing. That it feels like they're just trying to reach the bare minimum is a complete and total insult.