Charlotte nixes anti-discrimination ordinance in exchange for repealing state's bathroom bill
The Charlotte City Council voted on Monday to rescind an ordinance that forced businesses in the city to open up their bathrooms and changing areas to transgender individuals. Lawmakers are expected to repeal HB2, also known as the "bathroom bill," following the vote.
HB2, formally known as Public Facilities and Privacy Security Act, was signed into law by North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory earlier this year to counter the Charlotte ordinance. The law required individuals to use public bathrooms that correspond to the gender indicated on their birth certificate.
The proponents of HB2 argued that the Charlotte ordinance posed a risk to safety and privacy by allowing men to use the women's bathrooms.
McRory, a Republican, was heavily criticized for approving HB2. He lost the gubernatorial election in November to Democrat Roy Cooper by about 10,000 votes.
"This sudden reversal with little notice after the gubernatorial election sadly proves this entire issue originated by the political left was all about politics and winning the governor's race at the expense of Charlotte and our entire state," said McRory, according to The Stream.
State Senate Leader Phil Berger and House Speaker Tim Moore agreed with the outgoing governor. They asserted that the ordinance was only a "political stunt to drive out-of-state money into the governor's race."
Cooper announced that the North Carolina General Assembly will be holding a meeting to repeal HB2.
"Senate Leader Phil Berger and House Speaker Tim Moore assured me that as a result of Charlotte's vote, a special session will be called for Tuesday to repeal HB2 in full," he said in a statement.
Several businesses, such as Paypal and Deutsche Bank, had canceled plans to expand to North Carolina due to the passage of HB2. Both the NBA and NCAA decided to cancel sporting events that were supposed to be held in the state because of the law.
The governor-elect said that the repeal of the bathroom bill would "help to bring jobs, sports, and entertainment events back and will provide the opportunity for strong LGBT protections in our state."
