Pat McCrory says he'll back repeal of anti-gay law if Charlotte drops its LGBT protections
Sun. September 18, 2016 9:48 AM by Carlos Santoscoy
North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory's office on Friday said that the Republican governor would back repeal of House Bill 2 if Charlotte ditched its LGBT protections ordinance.
Republicans called a one-day special session in March to approve House Bill 2 after the Charlotte City Council approved its ordinance, which prohibits discrimination against the LGBT community. House Bill 2 blocks cities and municipalities from approving such measures. It is also the only state law that prohibits transgender people from using the bathroom of their choice in schools and government buildings.
Passage of the state law sparked a backlash from companies, some of whom said they would limit their investment in North Carolina, and entertainers, some of whom canceled shows. In more recent weeks, sporting events have been pulling out of the state, including the NBA All-Star Game, NCAA championships and some Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) events.
"For the last nine months, the governor has consistently said state legislation is only needed if the Charlotte ordinance remains in place," McCrory spokesman Josh Ellis is quoted as saying. "If the Charlotte City Council totally repeals the ordinance and then we can confirm there is support to repeal among the majority of state lawmakers ...the governor will call a special session."
The Charlotte City Council earlier this year rejected repeal of the ordinance, which remains unenforceable.
The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation's largest LGBT rights advocate, called the offer a "cheap trick."
"This is the same cheap trick the North Carolina General Assembly has attempted all along, asking Charlotte to repeal crucial protections for the LGBTQ community and trust they will hold up their end of the bargain on a full repeal of HB2. This arrangement would create problems, not solve them," the group said in a statemen
Republicans called a one-day special session in March to approve House Bill 2 after the Charlotte City Council approved its ordinance, which prohibits discrimination against the LGBT community. House Bill 2 blocks cities and municipalities from approving such measures. It is also the only state law that prohibits transgender people from using the bathroom of their choice in schools and government buildings.
Passage of the state law sparked a backlash from companies, some of whom said they would limit their investment in North Carolina, and entertainers, some of whom canceled shows. In more recent weeks, sporting events have been pulling out of the state, including the NBA All-Star Game, NCAA championships and some Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) events.
"For the last nine months, the governor has consistently said state legislation is only needed if the Charlotte ordinance remains in place," McCrory spokesman Josh Ellis is quoted as saying. "If the Charlotte City Council totally repeals the ordinance and then we can confirm there is support to repeal among the majority of state lawmakers ...the governor will call a special session."
The Charlotte City Council earlier this year rejected repeal of the ordinance, which remains unenforceable.
The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation's largest LGBT rights advocate, called the offer a "cheap trick."
"This is the same cheap trick the North Carolina General Assembly has attempted all along, asking Charlotte to repeal crucial protections for the LGBTQ community and trust they will hold up their end of the bargain on a full repeal of HB2. This arrangement would create problems, not solve them," the group said in a statemen
Article provided in partnership with On Top Magazine