Following a huge backlash against the anti-LGBT House Bill 2 North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory today signed an executive order modifying the bill, albeit somewhat modestly.
McCrory’s action affirms that private businesses, nonprofits, and local governments can establish their own employment nondiscrimination policies — for their own workers. And it expands the state’s employment nondiscrimination policy to include sexual orientation and gender identity — that is, for state employees, reports The Advocate.
While the governor’s executive order extends protections to state workers, it does nothing to fix the discriminatory provisions he signed into law through HB 2. Under HB 2, transgender people are prohibited from using restrooms consistent with their gender identity in public buildings, including the University of North Carolina campus and the Raleigh-Durham Airport. Cities still cannot adopt ordinances designed to prohibit discrimination against their residents and visitors. And, today’s action does not undo the damage to the state nondiscrimination laws, which now prevent individuals from bringing suit in state courts.
LGBTQ advocates were quick to criticize McCrory’s actions saying his actions just did not go far enough.
“Gov. McCrory’s executive order today is too little too late. It is like trying to solve a massive life threatening injury with a small band-aid that doesn’t come close to covering the wound. Complete repeal of HB2 and the passage of comprehensive statewide non-discrimination legislation are the only actions that will provide real, strong protections for all the LGBTQ people of North Carolina.” said Rea Carey, executive director, National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund.
HRC Legal Director Sarah Warbelow said, “The governor’s action is an insufficient response to a terrible, misguided law that continues to harm LGBT people on a daily basis. It’s absurd that he’ll protect people from being fired but will prohibit them from using the employee restroom consistent with their gender identity. The North Carolina Legislature must act to right this wrong as swiftly as possible. They created this horrendous law, and they need to repeal it.”
Equality North Carolina and the HRC continue to call on the governor and North Carolina’s elected officials to repeal HB 2.
“While Gov. McCrory’s Executive Order creates vital protections in public employment on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, it does not address the deep concerns we share with members of the business community and citizens across the state about the damaging impact of HB 2,” said Equality NC Executive Director Chris Sgro. “In fact, the order doubles down on the Governor’s support for some of the most problematic provisions of HB 2.”
