The PGA of America will keep the 2017 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, N.C., but the organization has threatened to stay away from North Carolina in the future if the state government doesn't overturn controversial House Bill 2.
House Bill 2, also known as the Public Facilities Privacy & Security Act, was signed into law in March by Gov. Pat McCrory. It limits municipalities from having anti-discrimination laws on the books and requires transgender people to use bathrooms corresponding with their sex at birth in government buildings and public schools.
In the wake of McCrory and the Republican-led state legislature proving unable to repeal the law or significantly amend it, the NBA chose to move the 2017 NBA All-Star Game from Charlotte.
The PGA of America will not move its major championship but made evident its distaste for the law after offering a tepid response following the adoption of the law in March.
"The PGA of America strongly opposes North Carolina HB2," read a statement from the PGA of America. "It contradicts our commitment to create an inclusive and welcoming environment at our events. We remain hopeful that the law will be changed.
"Since the Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte is a private facility not subject to all of the provisions of HB2, at the 2017 PGA Championship we plan to allow spectators to use the restroom that conforms with their gender identity or gender expression. As we look to future events, our willingness to consider coming back to the State of North Carolina will be severely impacted unless HB2 is overturned."
