May 24, 2016
San Francisco 49ers call for repeal of HB2 and announce gift to LGBT advocacy and education group Equality NC
While visiting Charlotte for National Football League meetings, CEO Jed York also meets with advocates and transgender North Carolinians.
CHARLOTTE – Two months ago, the North Carolina General Assembly passed the worst anti-LGBT law (HB2) in the nation. Since then, countless entertainers, business leaders, and everyday North Carolinians have come out against it. It is easy to see that the law does not represent North Carolina values. During regularly scheduled National Football League meetings in Charlotte, NC this week, CEO of the San Francisco 49ers Jed York chose to meet with advocates and transgender North Carolinians and learn more about how this bill has negatively impacted them. York also announced a gift of $75,000 to the Equality North Carolina Foundation to further their work.
Equality North Carolina, the state's biggest Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender rights advocacy group, is grateful for the chorus of voices against the deeply discriminatory bill. Equality NC Executive Director Chris Sgro said, "HB2 has tarnished the reputation of the Old North State. North Carolina was built on values of inclusiveness and fairness. The law is not representative of our people, and North Carolinians are standing by the thousands, week after week, in opposition to this awful law. 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. Our heartfelt thanks are with Jed York and the San Francisco 49ers for their support and leadership at this critical time. It is clear that leaders at the General Assembly must act quickly to salvage our state's reputation."
Jed York, CEO of the 49ers said, "The San Francisco 49ers are deeply concerned about North Carolina’s recently-enacted House Bill 2, which overturned protections for LGBT people and sanctioned discrimination across the state. HB 2 does not reflect the values of our organization, of our country, or the majority of North Carolinians.
We firmly believe that discriminatory laws such as HB 2 are bad for our employees, bad for our fans, and bad for business. We believe that 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. It will also diminish the state’s draw as a destination for sporting events, tourism and conventions, and new business activity.
Discrimination is wrong, and we believe it has no place in North Carolina or anywhere in our country. As an organization that prides ourselves on being inclusive and welcoming to all, we strongly urge Governor Pat McCrory and the leadership of North Carolina’s legislature to repeal this law in the current legislative session."