The National Collegiate Athletic
Association (NCAA) on Monday announced that it would relocate all
seven previously awarded championship events from North Carolina over
the state's anti-gay law.
The NCAA's Board of Governors said its
move was a result of “the cumulative action taken by the state
concerning civil rights protections.”
“Fairness is about more than the
opportunity to participate in college sports, or even compete for
championships,” said NCAA President Mark Emmert. “We believe in
providing a safe and respectful environment at our events and are
committed to providing the best experience possible for college
athletes, fans and everyone taking part in our championships.”
North Carolina's law, known as House
Bill 2, was approved during a one-day special session in March. It
blocks cities and municipalities from enacting measures which prohibit
discrimination against the LGBT community. The law is also the first
to prohibit transgender people from using the bathroom of their
choice in government buildings, including schools.
“This decision is consistent with the
NCAA's long-standing core values of inclusion, student-athlete
well-being and creating a culture of fairness,” said G.P. “Bud”
Peterson, chair of NCAA's Board of Governors and president of Georgia
Institute of Technology.
The action covers championship games
awarded during the 2016-17 academic year.