North Carolina fails to repeal ‘bathroom bill’ that limits LGBT protection.
The state’s legislature was called into a special session on Wednesday to consider repealing the law known as HB2 after months of pressure.
Democratic Governor-elect Roy Cooper campaigned against the anti-LGBT law and tweeted following the vote:”The legislature had a chance to do the right thing for North Carolina today, and they failed.”
He added: “I am disappointed that Republican legislative leaders refused to live up to their promise to fully repeal House Bill 2. I’m disappointed for the people of North Carolina – the jobs that they may not get. I’m disappointed that we haven’t yet removed the stain from our reputation around the country and around the world.
“People want us to work together for the good of our state. I know there were enough Democratic and Republican votes to fully repeal HB 2 by itself. But Republican legislative leaders have broken their word to me and broken their trust with the people.
“My staff and I worked day and night through the past week to forge an agreement that would bring back jobs and sporting events. For the first time ever on this issue, we had House Republican leaders, Senate Republican leaders, Senate Democrats, House Democrats, the Charlotte City Council, business leaders, sports leaders and the LGBT leaders in agreement.
“The Charlotte City Council held up its end of the deal by repealing its ordinance. When it came time for Republican legislative leaders to do their job, they failed.
“This was our best chance. This cannot be our last chance.”
Among other things, HB2 requires transgender people to use restrooms corresponding with the sex on their birth certificate in many public buildings.
U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch said the law is “state-sponsored discrimination” that reminds her of a time when blacks were barred from public facilities and states could dictate who was allowed to marry.
The gay advocacy groups Human Rights Campaign and Equality North Carolina said in a statement, “It’s time for state lawmakers to repeal HB2 and begin repairing the harm this bill has done to people and the damage it has done to North Carolina’s reputation and economy.”
