Last Monday, the NCAA announced the relocation of seven championship events that had been originally scheduled to take place in North Carolina to other states in response to the state’s March discriminatory “bathroom bill,” known as HB2. By actively condemning such measures in North Carolina, the NCAA has stressed its commitment to fairness and respect towards its collegiate athletes and fans — a bold move, considering that this includes the Division I men’s basketball tournament, the NCAA’s most celebrated annual event. This is a big hit to a state with a long tradition surrounding college basketball, making the NCAA rightful stand against bigotry all the more powerful.
The decision was made on account of the “cumulative actions taken by the state concerning civil rights protections,” and the organization’s commitment to holding events only in venues that are free from discrimination, according to the NCAA’s statement. By taking on the risk of huge potential costs, the NCAA has emphasized that its commitment to these issues won’t have a price tag.
The bill, which requires people use the bathroom corresponding to the sex on their birth certificates rather than their gender identity, violates the dignity of those who identify as another gender than the one they were assigned at birth. During an era in which athletics is increasingly politicized, the NCAA is using its platform in the right way. Not only does the relocation serve as a source of confidence and dignity for collegiate athletes who identify as a different gender, but it also protects them from discrimination based on gender identity and potential aggression.
More than anything else, the move stems from the organization’s desire to highlight the discrimination a group of North Carolinians — and their visitors — continue to face. The state would do well to repeal the law and embrace the ideal of inclusive sporting.
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