North Carolina governor signs repeal of controversial 'bathroom bill'
By Alene Tchekmedyian
March 30, 2017, 2:55 PM" - LA Times
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper signed a bill Thursday repealing the statefs
contentious law that limited transgender bathroom access, shortly after both
houses of the General Assembly voted to approve it.
The repeal bill was the result of a compromise between Cooper and Republican
legislative leaders after a bitter yearlong standoff over lesbian, gay, bisexual
and transgender rights that involved boycotts by artists and sports leagues,
resulting in severe economic losses.
"We are a welcoming state. Our people are welcoming. HB 2 was not," Cooper
said in a statement, referring to the so-called bathroom bill. "This law Ifm
signing today is not just about North Carolinafs reputation — or jobs and
sports. Itfs about working to end discrimination."
"Todayfs law not only provides for LGBT protections, but opens the door for
more," he said. "Now, transgender kids arenft subject to a horrible requirement
and embarrassment that could put them in even more danger of being bullied or
preyed on.h
The new bill had drawn sharp criticism from some lawmakers, while others
indicated that it was a solid compromise that would bring back sporting events
and create jobs.
gIf youfre a transgender individual, this bill is better than HB 2,h said
Rep. Darren Jackson, a Democrat.
Opponents said the move amounted to selling out to the NCAA, which a week ago
indicated North Carolina would not be considered as a host for championships
through 2022 absent any change of the law. Itfs unclear whether the repeal will
affect the associationfs stance.
Cooper said in a statement Wednesday that the bill is gnot a perfect deal,h
but it repeals the controversial law and gbegins to repair our reputation.h
The bill passed the Senate in a vote of 32 to 16, and later passed the House,
70 to 48.
The new law blocks local jurisdictions from approving nondiscrimination laws
until Dec. 1, 2020, and requires state lawmakers to be involved in
multiple-occupancy bathroom regulations.
Both conservative and liberal community groups criticized the new
legislation.
gToday, the leaders of our state have let the people of North Carolina down,"
Tami Fitzgerald, executive director of the conservative NC Values Coalition,
said in a statement. gThe truth remains, no basketball game, corporation, or
entertainment event is worth even one little girl losing her privacy and dignity
to a boy in the locker room, or being harmed or frightened in a bathroom.h
Gay rights advocates said the change fell short of protecting the LGBT
community. Some called it a gbackroomh deal made to avoid losing out on bids for
NCAA championship games.
gThis bill does nothing to repeal HB 2,h Chad Griffin, president of the Human
Rights Campaign, said in a statement. gInstead, it institutes a statewide
prohibition on equality by banning non-discrimination protections across North
Carolina and fuels the flames of anti-transgender hate.h
The standoff over LGBT rights began early last year when Charlotte, the
statefs largest city, approved an ordinance that expanded nondiscrimination
protections to include sexual orientation and gender identity and allowed people
to choose restrooms according to the gender with which they identify.
In response, Republicans rushed through HB 2, a state law ordering schools
and public agencies to require multiple-occupancy restrooms to be used by people
based on the sex listed on their birth certificate.
Sports leagues, musicians and corporations refused to host events in North
Carolina, staining the statefs reputation.
Charlotte officials estimated the city lost nearly $100 million when the NBA
moved its 2017 All-Star Game to New Orleans.