LGBTQ advocacy groups have been quick to condemn North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory for signing into law a new draconian bill that removes vital anti-discrimination protections from LGBTQ people and other groups such as veterans.
“LGBTQ North Carolinians are waking-up to find that they are the targets of a new law designed to deny them basic protections,” said Rea Carey, executive director, National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund. “It’s outrageous and immoral. Sadly the new law will deeply impact the economy, potentially federal funding and the reputation of North Carolina. The new law supersedes minimum wage and paid leave ordinances passed at the local level. It explicitly targets the transgender community in ways that impacts the most vulnerable such as transgender children and something as basic to human life as going to the restroom. This law is expansive and damaging to many beyond the LGBTQ community. The public will also be shocked at the fact that veterans — who have put their lives on the line — are now going to have vital protections removed from them through this law. It says a lot when the only thing certain politicians have to offer in the market place of ideas in the run-up to the general election are policies and laws based on hatred. The North Carolina state motto is ‘To be, rather than to seem.’ I urge all LGBTQ North Carolinian to be themselves, to be fully out and proud, ‘be you’ regardless of this ridiculous and spiteful law. Know that all LGBTQ people and our allies across the nation are with you. Know that freedom, justice and equality in your state has only been delayed but it will not be denied.”
Legal groups say the law likely violates Title XII of the Civil Rights Act and could face costly legal challenges. Businesses across the state, including DOW Chemicals, have spoken out in opposition but were ignored by the Governor. During its passage, all of the Senate Democrats walked out in protest.
“Pat McCrory tonight proved that he does not have the best interest of North Carolina in mind. He signed the worst anti-LGBT bill in the entire nation,” said Chris Sgro, executive director of Federation member Equality North Carolina. “The bill tears away at the fabric of my community by overturning and preempting vital protections for gay and transgender people. He goes back on his word again by signing legislation coming out of an expensive and unnecessary special session. Red Hat, Biogen, Dow Chemical, and others have spoken in opposition and that’s only the beginning of the impact on the business community here. Unfortunately, this likely means the state will have to spend more money on a lawsuit because of misguided or illegal legislation. It’s an embarrassment for the Old North State.”
Equality California, the nation’s largest statewide lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization also condemned North Carolina’s passage of this discriminatory legislation.
“This is among the worst of the bad anti-LGBT bills that are being considered in states across the country,” said Equality California Executive Director Rick Zbur. “HB 2 enshrines discrimination in North Carolina’s laws. The state effectively prohibits cities and towns from passing non-discrimination laws that protect LGBT people in their communities. Everyone should be treated fairly by our laws, and no one should be discriminated against simply because of who they are. North Carolina also is wrong to ban transgender people from the bathrooms or other facilities that match their gender identity, especially in schools. Every person has the right to feel and be safe and secure. Ultimately, this is about treating all people – including our transgender friends and neighbors — with respect. Unfortunately, fear and a lack understanding guided this bill, which is a significant step backwards in ensuring that all LGBT people are treated with dignity, fairness and compassion.”
You can also discriminate under the law legally against the governor, the 106 legislators, and their families based on sexual orientation and gender identity (no matter who they are). They are not exempt from the law. Heterosexuals can lawfully turn away other heterosexuals. So you can kick the governor, the legislators, and their families out of restaurants, shops, hotels, schools. The police can refuse them service. Ambulance companies can refuse them service. All this applies to the ones who passed the law and their families – not just everyone else. Why they gave up their own protection from discrimination makes no sense whatsoever. Seems like a cutting off your nose to spite your face scenerio. And what do other government officials in North Carolina think now that they and their families can now be legally discriminated against? What do police officers, judges, military personnel, and others think about politicians voting away their human rights protection?