Pistons’ Stan Van Gundy says NBA should move 2017 All-Star game
Detroit Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy said the NBA should move the 2017 All-Star game out of Charlotte due to recent anti-LGBT legislation passed in North Carolina.
Mlive.com’s David Mayo printed Van Gundy’s comments.
“[The All-Star] game should be moved if they don't change the law. I'm really proud of, like, Bruce Springsteen moved his concert, I think that's outstanding," Van Gundy, who is also the Pistons president, said Monday. “Look, we’re in 2016, and the idea that for any reason you can conjure up, you think you have the right to discriminate against people, I just think it’s against everything that we should stand for.
“I understand logistically it would be a major problem but so what?“ Van Gundy added. “Sometimes standing up for things that are right makes things tougher. I don't think the game should be there if they're not going to change that law.”
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The legislation, passed in late March, requires public school and and university students to use public bathrooms with respect to the gender on their birth certificate. The law nullified an LGBT nondiscrimination ordinance the Charlotte city council passed in February, which would have allowed transgender people to use public facilities based on the gender they identify with.
The new bill also denies municipalities from introducing LGBT protection measures in response, such as building multi-stall transgender bathrooms.
In the wake of the law, the Hornets and the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes both released statements saying they were opposed to discrimination of any kind.
The NBA said it is “deeply concerned” the law runs counter to its guiding principles, but is unsure of how it will impact the 2017 All-Star game.
[MLive]
