Steph Curry hopes for changes to LGBT law

Stephen Curry said he is disappointed to see sporting events pulled from his home state of North Carolina over a law that some say can lead to discrimination against LGBT people. And the two-time NBA MVP hopes lawmakers make changes to the so-called “bathroom bill” before more major events follow the NBA’s All-Star game and the NCAA men’s basketball tournament out the door.

Curry, who grew up in Charlotte and played college basketball at nearby Davidson, said Thursday he has mixed feelings about sporting events leaving the state. The NBA has pulled next year’s All-Star game out of Charlotte, and the NCAA this week began the process of relocating seven championships from North Carolina, including the opening weekend of the men’s basketball tournament.

The ACC followed suit and said its conference championship football game will not be played in Charlotte. “I think it’s unfortunate for our city and our state to be under the microscope with HB2 and how it’s unfolded,” Curry said in an interview with The Associated Press. “I’m all for equal and fair rights and treatment for everybody. Until it gets addressed, until some changes are made, this could be a recurring theme in North Carolina. I don’t want that happen.

The law, signed by Republican Gov Pat McCrory earlier this year, requires transgender people to use restrooms at schools and government buildings corresponding to the sex on their birth certificates. It also excludes gender identity and sexual orientation from local and statewide antidiscrimination protections and was passed to counteract Charlotte’s approval of an anti-discrimination ordinance for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people at hotels, restaurants and retailers.