NCAA takes firmer stance against LGBT discrimination with new championship process

USA Today reports:

In an effort to protect its teams and their respective fanbases from discrimination — particularly to those in the LGBT community — in states such as North Carolina, the NCAA has implemented an anti-discrimination process for championship bids, the organization announced on Wednesday following its quarterly meeting in Indianapolis.

"Well, it's a step in the right direction," Pat Griffin, professor emerita at the University of Massachusetts and a leading advocate for the LGBT movement told USA TODAY Sports on Wednesday in response to the NCAA's updated process. "Their silence prior to this was unacceptable. I'm happy to see that they have spoken. I think there's more that they could have done but it's a start."

The NCAA Board of Governors adopted the new requirements for sites to host or bid for major NCAA events, such as the Final Four, in all divisions.

“The higher education community is a diverse mix of people from different racial, ethnic, religious and sexual orientation backgrounds,” said Kirk Schulz, president of Kansas State University and chair of the Board of Governors. “So it is important that we assure that community – including our student-athletes and fans – will always enjoy the experience of competing and watching at NCAA championships without concerns of discrimination.”

NCAA gets political.