Anti-LGBTQ Law Costs North Carolina New $60 Million Netflix Series

North Carolina just can’t get its act together regarding anti-LGBTQ laws.

And now, according to StarNewsOnline, the state may have just lost $60 million in revenue thanks to the inaction of state lawmakers to repeal those laws.

Streaming giant, Netflix, was looking to shoot a new series, OBX, in the Tar Heel state but balked thanks to HB 142.

The law, enacted in 2017 was meant to be a ‘fix’ on previous legislation HB 2, which marginalized transgender people by requiring them to use public bathrooms that align with the gender on their birth certificates.

HB 142 partially repealed HB 2, but left in place bans on local communities passing their own anti-discrimination laws through 2020.

Ten episodes of the new project have been ordered by Netflix, and Jonas Pate, who created the show, wanted to shoot in his hometown of Wilmington, North Carolina. But the ban on local municipalities enacting their own legislation is a sticking point for Netflix.

“This tiny law is costing this town 70 good, clean, pension-paying jobs and also sending a message to those people who can bring these jobs and more that North Carolina still doesn’t get it,” Pate said.

Pate added that the production is projected to spend in the neighborhood of $60 million in whatever state the series shoots.

Pate, and his brother Josh, have previously created the NBC series Surface, which was shot in Wilmington.

But this past weekend, Pate found himself scouting sections of Charleston, South Carolina, for the new production.

Freshman state Sen. Harper Peterson, a Democrat from Hanover, hopes to see the issue addressed this week as the state Assembly is in session.

“That is a decision the legislature has to make and realize that it is one more opportunity we are losing if we don’t,” Peterson told StarNewsOnline. “We have to get back and be competitive with other states. It just hurts to see a production about North Carolina go to South Carolina.”

OBX is described as a coming-of-age story that follows four teens in the Outer Banks whose lives are changed when a hurricane cuts off all power to the islands.

“When these lifelines for teens like phones and Snapchat are gone, it really reorients the generational divisions,” says Pate.

(h/t StarNewsOnline)

NCAA "Reluctantly" Lifts Boycott Of Championship Games In North Carolina After Fake Repeal Of HB2

The NCAA Board of Governors has "reluctantly" voted that North Carolina's fake repeal of anti-LGBT law HB2 is enough to lift the boycott of any championship games in the state.

Via press release:

In August of 2016, the NCAA Board of Governors instructed the relocation of NCAA championships scheduled in North Carolina during the 2016-17 academic year because of the cumulative impact HB2 had on local communities’ ability to ensure a safe, healthy, discrimination-free atmosphere for all those watching and participating in our events.

Last week, the elected officials of North Carolina enacted compromise legislation that repealed HB2 and replaced it with a new law, HB142, that addressed a number of the concerns that led to the relocation of the NCAA championships. As with most compromises, this new law is far from perfect.

The NCAA did not lobby for any specific change in the law. The Board of Governors, however, was hopeful that the state would fully repeal HB2 in order to allow the host communities to ensure a safe, healthy, discrimination-free atmosphere for the championship sites. While the new law meets the minimal NCAA requirements, the board remains concerned that some may perceive North Carolina’s moratorium against affording opportunities for communities to extend basic civil rights as a signal that discriminatory behavior is permitted and acceptable, which is inconsistent with the NCAA Bylaws.

[snip]

In the end, a majority on the NCAA Board of Governors reluctantly voted to allow consideration of championship bids in North Carolina by our committees that are presently meeting. The NCAA championships previously awarded to North Carolina for 2017-18 will remain in the state. The board, however, directs that any site awarded a championship event in North Carolina or elsewhere be required to submit additional documentation demonstrating how student-athletes and fans will be protected from discrimination.

It's worth noting that for some unfathomable reason (other than LGBT animus), the newly passed HB142 blocks cities/townships/local municipalities from passing any protections for LGBTQ people until 2020. For what good reason is this clause included in the legislation?

And even after that period passes, local governments will still be blocked from guaranteeing trans people are able to safely use bathrooms that align with their gender identity.

How this isn't seen as the definition of LGBTQ discrimination escapes me.

The Human Rights Campaign and Equality NC respond:

“The NCAA's decision to backtrack on their vow to protect LGBTQ players, employees and fans is deeply disappointing and puts people at risk," said HRC President Chad Griffin. “After drawing a line in the sand and calling for repeal of HB2, the NCAA simply let North Carolina lawmakers off the hook."

"It is disappointing to see the NCAA backpedal after it stood strong against the deeply discriminatory HB2," said Equality NC Executive Director Chris Sgro. "HB142 continues the same discriminatory scheme put forward by HB2 and does little to protect the NCAA's players, employees, and fans. The NCAA's decision has put a seal of approval on state-sanctioned discrimination."

North Carolina Governor Signs Fake Repeal Of Anti-Trans Law HB2

After rushing new legislation through both the state House and Senate of North Carolina, which was touted as a "repeal" of anti-LGBT law HB2,  Gov. Roy Cooper has signed HB142.

The Human Rights Campaign issued a statement which read, in part:

Today, HRC, Equality North Carolina, and the National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE), strongly condemned North Carolina’s shameful new legislation that lawmakers and Governor Cooper touted as a “repeal” of their discriminatory HB2 law.

“After more than a year of inaction, today North Carolina lawmakers doubled-down on discrimination,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “This new law does not repeal HB2. Instead, it institutes a statewide prohibition on equality by banning non-discrimination protections across North Carolina and fuels the flames of anti-transgender hate. Each and every lawmaker who supported this bill has betrayed the LGBTQ community. HRC will explore every legal action to combat this dangerous legislation, and we urge all businesses, sports leagues and entertainers who have fought against HB2 to continue standing strong with the LGBTQ community attacked by this hateful law.”

The legislation passed today would effectively ban LGBTQ non-discrimination protections statewide through 2020 and permanently bar cities from passing laws that ensure transgender people can access facilities in accordance with their identity. ”

This was all done to meet a deadline imposed by the NCAA, which had told the state of North Carolina to either repeal HB2 or lose any championship games for the next five years.

No word yet on whether or not this fake repeal will actually satisfy the NCAA.

North Carolina Legislature Pushes Fake "Repeal" Of Anti-Transgender Law HB2

UPDATE: The legislation passed in the House 70-48. The bill now heads to the Governor's desk to be signed into law.

Whether this actually satisfies the NCAA remains to be seen.

**************************************************

In a race to meet an NCAA deadline for consideration to host championship sporting events through 2022, the North Carolina legislature is ramming through a fake "repeal" of the state's hateful anti-LGBT law, HB2. The "compromise" was concocted in a middle of the night/backroom deal between Phil Berger, the Senate leader, Tim Moore, the House speaker, and the new Democratic governor, Roy Cooper.

While being touted as a repeal, the new bill - HB142 - bans local municipalities from passing any non-discrimination ordinances through 2020.

Additionally, HB142 bans protections for transgender individuals in restrooms and other single-sex spaces forever.

“This law does not repeal HB2, it doubles down on discrimination,” said Cathryn Oakley HRC Senior Legislative Counsel at a press conference in Raleigh Thursday morning.

“If you vote for this bill you are not a friend of the LGBTQ community,” said Chris Sgro, Equality NC Executive Director.

What is particularly galling is newly installed Democratic Governor Roy Cooper, who campaigned on repealing the so-called "Bathroom bill," is supporting this effort even as he admits it's not "a perfect deal."

The new bill passed the state Senate today by a vote of 32 to 16.

The legislation now moves to the state House.

LGBT advocacy groups are rightfully angry.

From Chad Griffin, president of the Human Rights Campaign:

This “deal" does NOT repeal #HB2. It’s simply another version of HB2 dressed up in a way desperate lawmakers hope will save state’s economy.

— Chad Griffin (@ChadHGriffin) March 30, 2017

From Sarah Kate Ellis, president of GLAAD:

This is bad, doubles down on discrimination and leaves LGBTQ unprotected @RoyCooperNC we will keep the pressure on - this is wrong. Fix this https://t.co/YS2FlcpLei

— Sarah Kate Ellis (@sarahkateellis) March 30, 2017

From the national office of the ACLU:

The #HB2 "repeal" deal isn't a repeal at all. It will allow discrimination against LGBT ppl and it shouldn't pass https://t.co/B5s8LtEX1b

— ACLU National (@ACLU) March 30, 2017

Businesses in the state have begun chiming in as well. From Levi Strauss:

We stand w/ @HRC & @EqualityNC in urging North Carolina lawmakers to reject a backroom “deal” on anti-#LGBTQ #HB2. #RepealHB2 #ncpol

— Levi Strauss & Co. (@LeviStraussCo) March 30, 2017

AP: North Carolina's "Bathroom Bill" Will Cost State Economy $3.7 Billion Over 12 Years

Adding more details to what we already knew, the Associated Press is reporting on the huge losses to the North Carolina economy thanks to passing it's now infamous "bathroom bill," HB2.

Despite Republican assurances that North Carolina’s “bathroom bill” isn’t hurting the economy, the law limiting LGBT protections will cost the state more than $3.76 billion in lost business over a dozen years, according to an Associated Press analysis.

Over the past year, North Carolina has suffered financial hits ranging from scuttled plans for a PayPal facility that would have added an estimated $2.66 billion to the state’s economy to a canceled Ringo Starr concert that deprived a town’s amphitheater of about $33,000 in revenue. The blows have landed in the state’s biggest cities as well as towns surrounding its flagship university, and from the mountains to the coast.

North Carolina could lose hundreds of millions more because the NCAA is avoiding the state, usually a favored host. The group is set to announce sites for various championships through 2022, and North Carolina won’t be among them as long as the law is on the books. The NAACP also has initiated a national economic boycott.

Still, AP’s tally is likely an underestimation of the law’s true costs. The count includes only data obtained from businesses and state or local officials regarding projects that canceled or relocated because of HB2. A business project was counted only if AP determined through public records or interviews that HB2 was why it pulled out.

NCAA To North Carolina: Kill HB2 Or Lose Championship Games For Five Years

Yesterday, the NCAA reaffirmed it's position against North Carolina's anti-LGBT law, HB2.

With upcoming deadlines looming for the decisions on championship sites for the next five years, the NCAA's message is clear - either change the hateful bathroom law or "no championship games for you!"

“Last year, the NCAA Board of Governors relocated NCAA championships scheduled in North Carolina because of the cumulative impact HB2 had on local communities’ ability to assure a safe, healthy, discrimination free atmosphere for all those watching and participating in our events. Absent any change in the law, our position remains the same regarding hosting current or future events in the state. As the state knows, next week our various sports committees will begin making championships site selections for 2018-2022 based upon bids received from across the country. Once the sites are selected by the committee, those decisions are final and an announcement of all sites will be made on April 18.”

News Round-Up: March 7, 2017

George Michael

Some news stories you might have missed:

• According to the coroner's newly released report, pop music icon George Michael died of natural causes, which will really irritate the tabloids who were surely hoping for something more salacious.

• ABC's 20/20 will air a report on the harmful effects of "conversion" or "ex-gay therapy" this Friday  at 10 p.m. Eastern. Click here for an advance look.

• It turns out former Trump campaign spokesperson and serial liar Katrina Pierson's bitching got her booted out of a White House gig. #NoOneIsSurprised

• Anderson Cooper couldn't take the Trump Twitter Chronicles anymore, so he has the prez on "mute."

• The Justice Department, under President Trump, seems to be preparing to u-turn on federal opposition to North Carolina's anti-LGBT "bathroom law," HB2.

• The Will & Grace gang is all back together and working on the upcoming 10 show season reboot of the hit sitcom. Check out the four stars below, clearly happy to be #reunited&itfeelssogood

Spent the last 3 days with these loons & boy, are my arms tired. @DebraMessing @SeanHayes @MeganOMullally #Will&Grace pic.twitter.com/FwioowjXdg

— Eric McCormack (@EricMcCormack) March 5, 2017

North Carolina Governor Presents Plan To Repeal Anti-LGBT Law HB2

Gov. Roy Cooper

Roy Cooper, the new governor of North Carolina, is not waiting for state Republicans to get around to repealing the hateful anti-LGBT law, HB2.

Today, in an op-ed for the Charlotte Observer, he presents his plan to get rid of the legislation and get his state back on track.

North Carolinians are tired of hearing about this. As I travel across the state, people from Murphy to Manteo tell me that they want their elected officials to come together to solve this problem before HB2 does even more damage.

We came close to repealing it in December. The Republican leadership in the legislature committed to repeal HB 2 if I persuaded the Charlotte City Council to repeal its nondiscrimination ordinance. I kept my commitment. They did not.

However, in order to break the log jam, I have proposed a common sense compromise that includes three parts:

▪ Repeal House Bill 2. It’s time to take this harmful law off the books immediately.

▪ Strengthen punishments for criminals who violate the safety, security and privacy of people in public bathrooms or dressing rooms. I believe this is a manufactured issue and it’s wrong to suggest LGBT individuals are a threat. But time and again, Republicans contend HB2 is about security and safety. This addresses those concerns and increases penalties for crimes committed against anyone in this setting while also removing discrimination against the LGBT community.

▪ Require local governments to give the legislature and the public a 30-day notice before passing new non-discrimination ordinances. Local governments are the closest to the people they represent, and I believe that they should be able to make these decisions on their own. This compromise ensures that there is time for input on new ordinances.

This common sense compromise addresses concerns from both sides. It is a path forward to bringing back businesses and sporting events. It is reasonable, and it will begin to wipe the stain off our state’s reputation.

I will continue working to repeal this damaging law and restoring a North Carolina that works for everyone, but Republican legislative leaders must do their part as well.

I urge Republican leaders to bring this proposal to a vote this week.

News Round-Up: January 29, 2017

Some news items you may have missed:

• Ignacio Pérez Rey (above) says this is what a hangover looks like. Looks good to me #morewine #grrrr

• Sir Elton John and Paul Rudnick are working on a stage musical adaptation of The Devil Wears Prada.

• North Carolina state Senate Leader says anti-LGBT "bathroom bill" HB2 isn't going anywhere any time soon.

• Congressional Republicans will reintroduce the anti-LGBT legislation the First Amendment Defense Act. The bill, which President Trump has promised to sign into law, would allow anyone with "deeply held religious beliefs" to legally discriminate against LGBTs.

• In light of Uber's CEO willingness to work with President Trump, and ridesharing rival Lyft's announcement to donate $1 million to the ACLU, folks are dumping and deleting their Uber accounts in massive numbers.

• In case you haven't been paying attention, folks in the "pro-life" movement not only want to outlaw safe abortions, they think "the pill" and IUDs should be illegal as well.

That moment when the face that @JoyAnnReid makes says 1,000 words! That side eye! #AMJoy #ProChoice pic.twitter.com/2fn7iHLrKD

— Khary Penebaker (@kharyp) January 28, 2017

North Carolina State Republicans Renege On Deal To Repeal Hate Law HB2

The North Carolina Republican-controlled legislature promised to repeal the state's hate law, HB2, IF the city council of Charlotte would first repeal their local LGBT protections ordinance. But after the city of Charlotte went first in this game of chicken, the GOP lawmakers reneged on the deal.

H.B. 2 bans transgender people from accessing restrooms and public facilities that align with their gender identity, and prevents local municipalities from passing nondiscrimination protections to LGBT people.

A special session was called Wednesday to close the deal on repealing HB2 which has had an enormous economic backlash on the state as businesses have pulled out of the state costing over $600 million in lost revenue.

Talking Points Memo details how it all went down:

The compromise touted by both Cooper and outgoing GOP Gov. Pat McCrory called for Charlotte to do away with its ordinance. In exchange, lawmakers would undo the LGBT law.

But many conservatives never wanted to repeal the law and GOP lawmakers cried foul when Charlotte leaders initially left part of the city's ordinance in place. When the Senate bill called for a months-long ban on cities passing similar ordinances, Democrats said Republicans were going back on their promise.

Senate leader Phil Berger, a Republican, blamed Cooper and the Democratic-controlled Charlotte City Council for sinking the repeal effort.

Berger said Charlotte officials misled lawmakers into thinking they had fully repealed their ordinance Monday. The council met again Wednesday morning to scrap the rest of local law.

"I'm sorry folks, I don't trust them, and our folks don't trust them. There's no reason to trust them," Berger said after his chamber adjourned.

The Human Rights Campaign issued this statement:

"Today, the public trust has been betrayed once again. Lawmakers sent a clear message: North Carolina remains closed for business," said HRC President Chad Griffin. "It’s been 273 days since Republican state lawmakers passed the hateful HB2 law, and they have resisted fixing the mess they created every step of the way. Even after Charlotte responded to the GOP leadership’s loathsome demand to repeal common sense protections that exist in more than 100 cities, Senator Berger and Speaker Moore failed to make good on the ‘deal’ they brokered with Governor-elect Cooper to fully repeal HB2. Their shameful actions and broken promises subject LGBTQ North Carolinians to state-mandated discrimination, contribute to a heightened environment of harassment and violence, and will continue the significant harm done to the state’s reputation and economy. It's clear today that the GOP leadership’s cruelty towards lesbian, gay, bisexual and particularly transgender North Carolinians knows no bounds. For our part, we will continue to fight to defeat all of HB2 and protect North Carolinians no matter what it takes."

Repeal of North Carolina Hate Law Unsure At This Time

(image via WRAL)

Although GOP state lawmakers had promised to repeal their divisive hate law HB2 if the city of Charlotte would first repeal their local ordinance giving LGBTs protections, it's not sure how things will shake out.

Charlotte fulfilled their side of the bargain, but Republican lawmakers, now in a special session, are foot dragging.

From the Charlotte Observer:

Minutes into the House session, Rep. Jeff Collins of Nash County rose to declare the session unconstitutional and decried the “extraordinary hubris” of Charlotte City Council in prompting it. Two other members joined him.

Rep. Michael Speciale of New Bern moved that the session be immediately adjourned. He was ruled out of order. Sen. Tommy Tucker, a Republican from Waxhaw, filed a resolution to adjourn the session.

By 11 a.m., the House had gone into a recess that was later extended to 1 p.m. without taking up HB2. House Republicans gathered in caucus. A growing group of protesters gathered outside the chamber.

The Charlotte Chamber, apparently alarmed by the turn of events, sent out a urgent call to action for the public to call legislators.

“This morning the Charlotte City Council approved a full and clean repeal of their non-discrimination ordinance that led to the state's approval of HB2, a bill that has caused serious economic damage to our economy and to the perception of our state,” the chamber said. “The legislature is in special session at this moment. It is not known if there are enough votes to repeal.”

As House Republicans mulled their next move, Sen. Jeff Jackson, a Charlotte Democrat, filed his own HB2 repeal bill. Sen. Mike Woodard, a Republican from Durham, and Sen. Terry Van Duyn, a Democrat from Asheville, signed on as co-sponsors.

Stay tuned.

Charlotte City Council Repeals LGBT Protections

The Charlotte city council in North Carolina has voted to repeal it's LGBT protections ordinance.

The move is part of a bargain  made by GOP state lawmakers who vowed to repeal the anti-LGBT legislation HB2, if Charlotte would repeal their ordinance first.

We'll see if the GOP controlled legislature fulfills its promise.

The council’s repeal measure requires the legislature to repeal HB2 by December 31 or its ordinance would stand.

Stay tuned.

The Daily Show Punks North Carolina - Food Truck Refuses To Serve Gays

The Daily Show thought North Carolina might understand the impact of the state's anti-LGBT law, HB2, through the use of some interactive learning.

The Raleigh News & Observer recaps:

Comedy Central’s The Daily Show came to Raleigh recently to poke fun at House Bill 2 by operating a food truck that refused to serve gay people. The show parked a fake barbecue business called Bone Bros. Flamin’ BBQ outside Trophy Brewing on Maywood Avenue and the Ruby Deluxe bar on Salisbury Street earlier this month.

“I wanted to show North Carolinians what HB2 would look like in action, so I rented a food truck … and set out to refuse service to people by telling them they’re gay,” Daily Show correspondent Roy Wood Jr. says at the beginning of the segment, which aired Thursday. “HB2 says I can do this Jim Crow-level (expletive), and nobody can stop me.”

For the record, HB2 doesn’t explicitly state that businesses can refuse service to LGBT people. But it did repeal local nondiscrimination ordinances that included LGBT protections and replaced them with a statewide nondiscrimination law.

That law bans “places of public accommodation” such as restaurants, stores and hotels from discriminating on the basis of “race, religion, color, national origin, or biological sex.” But it leaves two categories unprotected: Sexual orientation and gender identity.

News Round-Up: September 17, 2016

Prince Harry

Some news stories you may have missed:

• Woofy Prince Harry is continuing his mother's work on behalf of those affected by HIV/AIDS.

• Did you know gay couples out-earn straight couples by more than $60K?

• Donald Trump's much ballyhooed family leave plans won't include gay same-sec couples who adopt.

• Did you hear the one about a douche math teacher who came up with a homophobic math question?

• North Carolina's Gov. Pat McCrory shows his nerves as he attempts to negotiate the repeal of anti-LGBT law, HB2 - but only if the city of Charlotte will first repeal their LBGT protections ordinance. #FatChance

• First look at the upcoming film, Tom of Finland, documenting the life and work of Finnish artist Touko Laaksonen, best known for works depicting hyper-masculine archetypes such as lumberjacks, motorcycle policemen, sailors, bikers, and leathermen.

Atlantic Coast Conference Pulls 10 Championship Events From North Carolina Over HB2

Following yesterday's announcement from the NCAA to pull 7 championship events from North Carolina due to the anti-LGBT HB2 legislation, the Atlantic Coast Conference has followed suit by announcing 10 championship events will also be pulled from North Carolina.

The Atlantic Coast Conference voted Wednesday to find other sites for its championship games through the 2016-17 school year while the law remains in effect.

The 10 events include baseball, basketball, soccer, diving, tennis and golf.

Chris Sgro, executive director of Equality NC, the statewide LGBTQ rights organization, issued a statement which read in part, "It has never been more clear than it is right now – HB2 is hurting our state every minute that it remains law."

Via press release:

Statement from the ACC Council of Presidents:
“As members of the Atlantic Coast Conference, the ACC Council of Presidents reaffirmed our collective commitment to uphold the values of equality, diversity, inclusion and non-discrimination. Every one of our 15 universities is strongly committed to these values and therefore, we will continue to host ACC Championships at campus sites. We believe North Carolina House Bill 2 is inconsistent with these values, and as a result, we will relocate all neutral site championships for the 2016-17 academic year. All locations will be announced in the future from the conference office.”

Statement from Clemson University President James P. Clements, chair of the ACC Council of Presidents:
“The ACC presidents engaged in a constructive, wide-ranging and vigorous discussion of this complex issue over the past two days. The decision to move the neutral site championships out of North Carolina while HB 2 remains the law was not an easy one but it is consistent with the shared values of inclusion and non-discrimination at all of our institutions.”

Statement from ACC Commissioner John Swofford:
“The ACC Council of Presidents made it clear that the core values of this league are of the utmost importance, and the opposition to any form of discrimination is paramount. Today’s decision is one of principle, and while this decision is the right one, we recognize there will be individuals and communities that are supportive of our values as well as our championship sites that will be negatively affected. Hopefully, there will be opportunities beyond 2016-17 for North Carolina neutral sites to be awarded championships.”

(h/t JoeMyGod)

Hillary Clinton Supports NCAA Decision To Pull Championship Games From North Carolina

Earlier today I reported on the NCAA's decision to pull seven championship games from North Carolina due to the state's anti-LGBT hate law, HB2.

Democratic White House hopeful Hillary Clinton concurs with the decision sending this tweet today. Note: the H at the end of the tweet means Hillary wrote the tweet herself.

Thanks for being a leader, Hillary! #ImWithHer

The @NCAA is right to pull tournament games from North Carolina because of the anti-LGBT HB2 law. Discrimination has no place in America. -H

— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) September 13, 2016

NCAA Pulls Seven Championship Games From North Carolina Over HB2

The bad news keeps coming for beleagured North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory as his state's anti-LGBT law, HB2, continues to hurt his state's image and economy.

The NCAA has announced seven championship games have been pulled from the state including the first and second rounds of the Division I Men's Basketball Championship — part of the Road to the Final Four — originally slated to be in Greensboro.

Via press release, the Board underscored that "NCAA championships and events must promote an inclusive atmosphere for all college athletes, coaches, administrators and fans. Current North Carolina state laws make it challenging to guarantee that host communities can help deliver on that commitment if NCAA events remained in the state."

The seven championship events to be relocated from North Carolina for 2016-17:

• 2016 Division I Women’s Soccer Championship, College Cup (Cary), Dec. 2 and 4.
• 2016 Division III Men’s and Women’s Soccer Championships (Greensboro), Dec. 2 and 3.
• 2017 Division I Men’s Basketball Championship, first/second rounds (Greensboro), March 17 and 19.
• 2017 Division I Women’s Golf Championships, regional (Greenville), May 8-10.
• 2017 Division III Men’s and Women’s Tennis Championships (Cary), May 22-27.
• 2017 Division I Women’s Lacrosse Championship (Cary), May 26 and 28.
• 2017 Division II Baseball Championship (Cary), May 27-June 3.

The North Carolina Republican Party, which champions the hate law, issued this statement:

This isn't the first negative impact on the state due to HB2. To date the state has lost mullion and millions of revenue due to cancelled conventions and concerts and other entertainment events.

And the governor is feeling the heat as he currently trails his opponent for reelection by an average of 6 points according to Real Clear Politics.

News Round-Up: September 7, 2016

Robert Sepulveda Jr. of Logo TV's Finding Prince Charming

Some news stories you may have missed:

• Finding Prince Charming's Robert Sepulveda Jr. tells People.com he became a sex worker in his 20s because "he had no other choice." Btw - I have no problem with folks being sex workers. Just saying...

• Republican Vice Presidential candidate Mike Pence broke with his running mate Donald Trump saying he believes President Obama was born in Hawaii.

• North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory is trailing his Democratic challenger Attorney General Roy Cooper by an average of 3.6 points thanks to anti-LGBT "bathroom law" HB2.

• Playboy Playmate Dani Mathers faces up to six months in jail for taking a pic of a naked 70 year old woman at her gym in an attempt to "body shame" the woman. Good.

• With Democratic White House contender Hillary Clinton showing up at the back of her campaign plane to chat with reporters two days in a row, Repub Donald Trump is now rethinking his "blacklisting" of certain press outlets.

• Militia nutjob Ammon Bundy says he can't belly up to the legal bar without his cowboy boots.

• Apple's Twitter account jumped the gun on the iPhone 7 roll-out this morning as CEO Tim Cook was in the middle of introducing the new shiny new toy. Watch the quick recap video below for details.

Missed our big launch news? Here it is in 107 seconds. Don't blink. pic.twitter.com/zCdx8oDwgg

— Apple (@Apple) September 7, 2016

Federal Judge Bars University Of North Carolina From Enforcing State's "Bathroom Bill"

Small victory for transgender rights in North Carolina today as a federal judge has ruled that the University of North Carolina may not enforce HB2, the so-called "bathroom bill," in regards to two students and a university employee.

From Buzzfeed's Chris Geidner:

In the ruling U.S. District Court Judge Thomas Schroeder noted, “Ultimately, the record reflects what counsel for Governor [Pat] McCrory candidly speculates was the status quo ante in North Carolina in recent years: some transgender individuals have been quietly using bathrooms and other facilities that match their gender identity, without public awareness or incident.”

The case was brought by the ACLU on behalf of several North Carolina residents, including professors and students at UNC schools.

After reviewing the record in the case and relevant case law, Schroeder concluded a preliminary injunction of part of the law was appropriate. Specifically, he pointed to a case (G.G. v. Gloucester County School Board) in which the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals — from which appeals from North Carolina are heard — held that the Obama administration’s interpretation of Title IX’s sex discrimination provision as including anti-transgender discrimination was permitted.

“Part I’s wholesale ban on access to facilities is inconsistent with DOE’s guidance on Title IX compliance under G.G.,” Schroeder concluded.

“Accordingly, the court will enjoin UNC from enforcing Part I against the individual transgender Plaintiffs until the court reaches a final decision on the merits in this case,” Schroeder concluded.

How The Golden State Warriors President Helped Move The 2017 All-Stars Game From North Carolina

According to USA Today, one of the major turning points for the NBA's decision to move the 2017 All-Star game from North Carolina came two weeks ago at a Las Vegas meeting of high-ranking league execs.

USA Today reports:

In a poignant address, Golden State Warriors president and chief operating officer Rick Welts, 63, who is openly gay, explained his meaningful and lifelong affiliation with the NBA and told league owners he didn’t feel comfortable attending the All-Star Game in Charlotte if the law remained as is.

His words weren’t emotional, and they weren’t delivered as a threat. But Welts, who was instrumental in shaping All-Star weekend into the big-time event it is today, didn’t plan on attending if the North Carolina law wasn’t repealed or changed.

Following the meeting, a few owners talked, and a prevailing message emerged: If Rick Welts doesn’t feel comfortable coming to the All-Star Game, the decision to relocate just got easier.

They probably didn't know it at the time, but this was clearly an "It Gets Better" moment. One more example of how our visibility and honest self-expression lead to positive change.

Here's a little more about Welts.

(h/t JMG)