DeLeo: Bring the NBA All-Star Game to Massachusetts
Photo via AP
The NBA announced Thursday it would move its 2017 All-Star Game out of Charlotte, in response to South Carolina’s controversial “bathroom bill,” which limits gay and transgender legal protections in the state. Massachusetts, on the other hand, recently enacted a transgender accommodations law, allowing individuals to use public facilities that correspond with their gender identities.
As such, House Speaker Bob DeLeo wants the NBA to seriously consider moving next year’s All-Star Game to any of the Bay State’s 351 cities and towns—but probably the one where the Celtics play, just a guess.
Bring the #AllStarGame to MA, where we recently advanced civil rights with #transgender law https://t.co/KbleclQeaW https://t.co/yFKsgsHRRe
— Bob DeLeo (@SpeakerDeLeo) July 21, 2016
“Since March, when North Carolina enacted HB2 and the issue of legal protections for the LGBT community in Charlotte became prominent, the NBA and the Charlotte Hornets have been working diligently to foster constructive dialogue and try to effect positive change,” the league said in a statement. “While we recognize that the NBA cannot choose the law in every city, state, and country in which we do business, we do not believe we can successfully host our All-Star festivities in Charlotte in the climate created by HB2.”
Boston has hosted four NBA All-Star Games, most recently in 1964. The NBA said Thursday it would announce the game’s new location of the All-Star Game later this week.
