Stan Van Gundy

Detroit Pistons president-coach Stan Van Gundy ripped the North Carolina law.

(AP Photo | Charles Krupa)

AUBURN HILLS -- Detroit Pistons czar Stan Van Gundy railed against the anti-LGBT "bathroom law" in North Carolina, likening it to discrimination during the civil-rights movement, and said the National Basketball Association should move the 2017 NBA All-Star Game out of Charlotte if the law isn't changed.

"We went through this. People had their rationale for discriminating against blacks back in segregation," Van Gundy, the Pistons' president of basketball operations and head coach, said Monday. "I don't care, religious liberty and all of that -- look, that's the same stuff that people brought up during the civil-rights movement. They'll try to justify it with anything they have.

"We shouldn't have the right in our country to discriminate against anybody and especially in this situation. And I think the league should take a stand."

Van Gundy's position comes amid legislation in two southern states recently signed into law limiting anti-discrimination protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender citizens.

Charlotte in February passed a measure protecting anyone from being discriminated against because of "protected characteristics," which included, "race, color, religion, sex, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression, and national origin."

The North Carolina legislature responded with an emergency special session, the first of its kind in 35 years, and within a 12-hour period had introducted, debated and passed a bill that blocks local government from passing such anti-discrimination laws.

The measure is viewed as largely an affront to LGBT people, since many of the other protected characteristics in what has become known as North Carolina's "bathroom law" already are protected under anti-discrimination laws.

The NBA responded immediately with concern about how the law might affect its plans to have 2017 All-Star weekend in Charlotte.

Van Gundy said the league should take the extra step if North Carolina doesn't relent.

"That game should be moved if they don't change the law. I'm really proud of, like, Bruce Springsteen moved his concert, I think that's outstanding," Van Gundy said, referring to the musician's decision to cancel a Sunday concert in Greensboro, N.C., because of the state's stance. "Look, we're in 2016, and the idea that for any reason you can conjure up, you think you have the right to discriminate against people, I just think it's against everything that we should stand for.

"I understand logistically it would be a major problem but so what? Sometimes standing up for things that are right makes things tougher. I don't think the game should be there if they're not going to change that law."

The NBA came out with a pointed response after the North Carolina measure was signed into law last month.

"The NBA is dedicated to creating an inclusive environment for all who attend our games and events," the league said in a statement at the time. "We are deeply concerned that this discriminatory law runs counter to our guiding principles of equality and mutual respect and do not yet know what impact it will have on our ability to successfully host the 2017 All-Star Game in Charlotte."

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