The NCAA gave North Carolina one last warning Thursday about the need for the state to repeal a law on LGBT rights or face being blackballed from hosting collegiate athletic championships for six years.
But negotiations on a repeal of House Bill 2 ended with no action as the controversial law starts its second year on the books.
Other WRAL Top Stories
"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," NCAA officials said in a statement.
"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."
House Bill 2 was passed in a one-day emergency session last March 23 in response to a Charlotte ordinance that required businesses in that city to allow transgender people to use the bathroom of their choice. The state law not only voided the Charlotte ordinance and allowed businesses to set their own bathroom access rules, it required transgender people to use public bathrooms in schools and other government buildings that correspond with the gender listed on their birth certificates. The law also established a statewide nondiscrimination policy that excluded the LGBT community and barred cities and counties from extending such protections to them.
The law prompted nationwide backlash, with the Atlantic Coast Conference moving its football championship and women's basketball tournaments out of North Carolina, the NBA shifting its 2017 All-Star Game from Charlotte to New Orleans and the NCAA pulling a dozen 2016-17 tournaments from the state. In addition, concerts were canceled, conventions were moved and some businesses scrapped expansion plans.
"I don't think anyone could not be surprised at how things have transpired," said Sen. Phil Berger, the Republican leader of the Senate.
Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper has called the law "a stain on our state's great reputation" and has pushed for its repeal.
Cooper said he now struggles to recruit businesses, noting one unidentified company has promised to move hundreds of high-paying jobs to the Triangle once House Bill 2 is off the books.
"I've worked with them and other companies to try and get them to come, but a lot of them are waiting to see what the General Assembly will do. It's an example of the problems that we're facing," he said.
Berger said those losses can't overshadow the bigger economic picture.
"I don't think there can be any debate as to whether or not North Carolina's economy is doing well," he said. "Overall, North Carolina's economy is doing better than most other states."
A failed repeal effort in December has led to mistrust on both sides, but Cooper and lawmakers continue to work behind the scenes on a compromise.
"I don't know that I'm prepared to say it was a mistake, but I am prepared to say that I'm ready to try and work on a compromise," Berger said.
"I would support an HB2 repeal bill with a moratorium with a definite end date," the governor said, referring to GOP demands for a "cooling off" period that would prevent cities from adopting nondiscrimination ordinances once House Bill 2 has been rescinded.
Yet, once details of a proposal are discussed, it's clear that a deal remains elusive.
"We've got to protect the safety and privacy in bathrooms," Berger said.
"We have to get it repealed," Cooper said.