The extremely controversial anti-LGBT law, House Bill 2, that was passed in North Carolina continues to make waves throughout the sports world.
Duke and USA basketball head coach Mike Krzyzewski, has spoken out against the bill less than a week after his Duke Blue Devils revealed their schedule for the upcoming season.
Albany will not be traveling to Durham, North Carolina to play Duke as schedueled on November 12th. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo's executive order banning publicly-funded, non-essential travel to North Carolina was a direct result of House Bill 2.
“It’s an embarrassing bill,” Krzyzewski told USA TODAY Sports. “That’s all I’m going to say about it.”
“Albany not playing Duke, that’s the kind of activism we need to create change with this bill,” said Shane Windmeyer, executive director of Campus Pride, a Charlotte-based organization fighting for LGBT rights.
I applaud Coach K and the @NBA for both joining #NY and so many others in standing for equality and justice and against discrimination. #HB2
— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) July 21, 2016
In April, the NCAA changed its policy for championship events by implementing an anti-discrimination process for host bids. Even though, it has not specified the exact definition of “inclusive environments”.
This is problematic being that the state of North Carolina is still slated to host NCAA tournament events for years to come.
North Carolina State coach Mark Gottfried described his emotion as “appalled” by the bill.
“I’m against any law that allows discrimination, whether that’s based on race, gender, sexual orientation,” Gottfried told USA TODAY Sports. “I don’t understand how someone can support this. I think the people at N.C. State, we believe in inclusion. Being a resident of the state, for me and my family, it’s been frustrating.”
North Carolina's Roy Williams and Ellen's Matt Matheny have also voiced their disappointment with HB2.
Forman North Carolina women's tennis player, Ashley Dai, who is an open lesbian, stated that just a statement by University or department is simply not enough.
“I understand that everyone isn’t an activist or that’s not their personality, but doing nothing or deferring to someone else when you’re a big name is actually saying something,” Dai said. “It's saying that we’re not trying to make a big deal about it. When you’re the group being discriminated against, the (high-profile) allies are who matter most.”
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