The NCAA has chosen to remove their championship events from North Carolina due to their anti-LGBTQ laws. The seven championship events that will be relocated from North Carolina consist of the Division I Women’s Soccer Championship, Division III Men’s and Women’s Soccer Championships, Division I Men’s Basketball Championship, Division I Women’s Golf Championships, Division III Men’s and Women’s Tennis Championships, Division I Women’s Lacrosse Championship and the Division II Baseball Championship.

According to the official NCAA site, NCAA president Mark Emmert said, “Fairness is about more than the opportunity to participate in college sports, or even compete for championships. We believe in providing a safe and respectful environment at our events and are committed to providing the best experience possible for college athletes, fans and everyone taking part in our championships.”

North Carolina recognizes various factors pertaining to gender identity which essentially sparked the decision by the NCAA. Those factors include a statewide law to use a restroom different from the gender listed on one’s birth certificate, invalidation of any local law that will protect the LGBTQ community from discrimination and the legal right for government officials to reject services to the community.

In the past, the NCAA has maintained consistent values. The NCAA bans championships in states where a Confederate flag is displayed or states that permit the abuse of Native American representation. “The NCAA Constitution clearly states our values of inclusion and gender equity, along with the membership’s expectation that we as the Board of Governors protect those values for all,” said Susquehanna University President Jay Lemons, vice chair of the Board of Governors and chair of the Ad Hoc Committee on diversity and inclusion, published directly by the NCAA site. “Our membership comprises many different types of schools – public, private, secular, faith-based – and we believe this action appropriately reflects the collective will of that diverse group.”

Representatives will come to a consensus as to where these championships should be held as soon as possible, but may be delayed until next year according to Emmert.