Maine to protest HB2 law during Saturday's game vs. Duke

Maine will protest North Carolina's controversial HB2 law during Saturday's trip to Durham to face Duke.

The HB2 law requires transgender people to use restrooms based upon the sex listed on their birth certificate. The ruling applies to bathrooms in public schools, universities, and government buildings.

The ACC has moved various championship games that were to be played in North Carolina due to the bill, including the football conference championship which was slated for Charlotte this Saturday. It is now being played in Orlando between Clemson and Virginia Tech.

The Black Bears will wear T-shirts during warmups that are black in color and feature a rainbow-themed design. They were made in coordination with You Can Play, an organization that works to remove homophobia and transphobia throughout the sports world.

"It's one thing to boycott or not show up because of the financial impact and the message that would send," You Can Play vice president of program development and community relations Chris Mosier told Scott Gleeson of USA Today. "But they wanted to be visible and the biggest thing is they want to take the next step. They would have done this whether it was Duke or any North Carolina institution because (HB2) doesn't align with their values."

Blue Devils head coach Mike Krzyzewski has voiced his concern for the law, calling it "embarrassing" earlier this year. Since Duke is a private school it's not subject to the law.

Maine is just the latest America East team to oppose the law, as Albany canceled a trip to play Duke on Nov. 12, and the Vermont women's program scrapped a scheduled game against North Carolina.

The NBA also altered plans due to the law, moving the 2017 All-Star game from Charlotte to New Orleans.