The Tide Rises Against Pat McCrory

The tide against North Carolina’s HB2 grew stronger this week as both the NCAA and ACC canceled championship games slated for the coming year in yet another rebuke of Governor McCrory’s hateful law.

The NCAA and ACC are taking action just one month after the NBA also announced the 2017 All-Star game would be moved out of Charlotte over state Republicans’ continued refusal to repeal HB2.

By standing up for LGBTQ equality, the ACC, the NCAA, and the NBA are all standing on the right side of history. They have sent a clear message that discrimination has consequences, and they won’t tolerate attacks on their employees, players, and fans.

But Governor Pat McCrory and other lawmakers inexcusably continue to ignore the nonpartisan chorus of voices demanding the repeal of HB2. In an unhinged and downright crazy statement, the North Carolina GOP attacked the NCAA and accused them of not caring about sexual assaults. Women’s organizations gathered in Raleigh on Wednesday to call out their falsehoods. Meanwhile, McCrory didn’t know what to say at all; after nearly 24 hours of completely avoiding the news, he also attacked the NCAA as a “tax-exempt, multi-billion dollar monopoly.”

By cementing their feet on the wrong side of history and defending discrimination no matter the costs, McCrory and his allies in the state legislature have shown their true colors. They were willing to harm their state, its reputation, and countless LGBTQ people and their families to score political points.

But some Republicans are finally beginning to realize the only solution is full repeal of HB2. This week, two state senators signaled that they are open to repeal of HB2. Now it’s time for more GOP lawmakers to follow their lead.

This week HRC and Equality North Carolina announced endorsements in a number of key races, because North Carolina deserves better than Pat McCrory and all those who continue to back this hateful law. McCrory’s utter failure of leadership has brought nothing but disgrace to the Tar Heel State, and his poll numbers continue to suffer because of it. The fact that Governor McCrory and other lawmakers continue to stand behind discrimination is inexcusable, enormously costly, and simply wrong. And if these politicians continue down this path, on November 8, the voters of North Carolina will have an opportunity to let their voices be heard at the polls.

P.S. Saturday’s 20th Annual HRC National Dinner was one for the history books. Vice Presidential nominee Tim Kaine gave a powerful speech from the heart about LGBTQ equality, and the power of the LGBTQ vote to decide elections. Civil rights icon and Representative John Lewis inspired us all as he urged us to get into “good trouble,” and to keep fighting for justice. We also heard from so many others who have stood up and spoken out for equality. After a year of enormous victories and heartbreaking setbacks, we showed the world that we are stronger together and left ready to tackle for the battles ahead. Take a look at all of the inspiring speeches here.

Paid for by Human Rights Campaign PAC and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.