RALEIGH – With announcements by the NCAA and ACC that championship college athletic events scheduled to be held in North Carolina would instead be played in other states because of the HB2 law, which opponents say targets LGBT individuals for discrimination.

These two announcements, one late last week and one earlier this week, are expected to cost the NC economy tens of millions of dollars.

This on top of millions of potential dollars already lost with announcements that that several businesses, such as Pay Pal and Deutsche Bank, would not be bringing operations to the state.

Originally begun as reaction to a Charlotte ordinance to allow transgender people to use the bathroom of their choice, State Republicans pushed it through the House and Senate in less than a day, with little or no warning to Democrats as to its contents, which included allowing workplace discrimination against LGBT people.

Governor Pat McCrory, a strong supporter of HB2, released the following statement regarding the ACC and NCAA’s recent decision on 2016-2017 championship events:

“The issue of redefining gender and basic norms of privacy will be resolved in the near future in the United States court system for not only North Carolina, but the entire nation,” he said. “I strongly encourage all public and private institutions to both respect and allow our nation’s judicial system to proceed without economic threats or political retaliation toward the 22 states that are currently challenging government overreach.”

“Sadly, the NCAA, a multi-billion dollar, tax-exempt monopoly, failed to show this respect at the expense of our student athletes and hard-working men and women,” McCrory said.

NC House Representative Howard Hunter III (D) of Ahoskie originally voted for HB2 earlier this year, but stated then he did not have sufficient time to examine its provisions fully.

Hunter said yesterday (Friday) that he is opposed to discrimination of any people, including those targeted in HB2, but said he is also concerned about the safety of women and children using public restrooms.

He said, “It’s a shame events are pulling out of North Carolina. Groups and businesses should wait for the court cases to be resolved. Let’s all just be patient while this issue runs its legal course.”

He indicated that he might vote for full repeal if Charlotte government officials agree not to pass another bill allowing people to choose their restroom of choice.

He said the bathroom provisions of the bill are not Republican or Democratic issues, but rather morality and safety issues.

“Most churches are for HB2,” he said.

Hunter stated he also objects to “athletic organizations determining our laws.”