Jed York, the CEO of the San Francisco 49ers, is calling for a repeal of North Carolina's anti-LGBT House Bill 2.
The National Football League hosted meetings in Charlotte, N.C., this week. Chris Sgro, the executive direcctor of Equality N.C. and the only openly LGBT person in the North Carolina legislature, says it was during this time that York chose to meet with LGBT advocates and transgender North Carolinians to learn about the impact of the anti-LGBT law. Sgro announced that the 49ers were contributing a gift of $75,000 to the Equality North Carolina Foundation to support the work of the organization.
In a statement published Tuesday, York said the San Francisco 49ers are "deeply concerned" about HB 2 because the team believes that "discriminatory laws" are "bad for our employees, bad for our fans, and bad for business."
HB 2 prohibits transgender people from using public restrooms or locker rooms (in government buildings) that match their gender identity. HB 2, introduced and signed into law in less than 12 hours during a special legislative session on March 23, also rescinds all existing LGBT-inclusive nondiscrimination ordinances, prohibits new ones, bars residents from suing for discrimination in state court, and bars cities from setting a minimum wage higher than the state's.
HB 2 will "make it far more challenging for businesses across the state to recruit and retain the nation's best and brightest workers and attract the most talented students from across the country," said York, the CEO of the 49ers. York echoed a fear many North Carolinians have expressed, which is that HB 2 has and will continue to create loss in business for the state. The law will "diminish the state's draw as a destination for sporting events, tourism and conventions, and new business activity," the CEO said. York added that his team "prides" itself on inclusivity and will "strongly urge" Gov. Pat McCrory and the North Carolina legislature to repeal HB 2.
"We at Equality North Carolina are so appreciative of the continued support of fair-minded organizations and people across the state, nation, and world, who are joining this call to action," Sgro, said, responding to the news. "Our heartfelt thanks are with Jed York and the San Francisco 49ers for their support and leadership at this critical time."
The anti-LGBT law has caused North Carolina a loss in business, and recently the federal government announced it was suing the state because the law discriminates against LGBT people. Many entertainers have canceled shows in the state to protest the discriminatory measure.
