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National Republicans Break With North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory After He Signs Discriminatory HB 2
Yesterday, the North Carolina General Assembly reconvened after weeks of pressure to repeal HB 2 from civil right advocates, hundreds of businesses, entertainers — and now a growing list of national Republican leaders. Gov. McCrory, Senator Berger and Speaker Moore have become increasingly isolated as high-profile members of their own party have spoken out and urge for the repeal of HB 2.
Over the last few weeks, Donald Trump, John Kasich, South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, Chris Christie, Hugh Hewitt, Kathleen Parker, South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard, Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam, Sen. Mark Kirk and Sen. Rob Portman have all spoke out against HB2 – a measure so extreme even Donald Trump has announced his opposition.
To date, the only national Republican to back McCrory is the notoriously anti-LGBT Ted Cruz — who thinks transgender people should only use restrooms at home.
But actions speak even louder than words. South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard recently vetoed an anti-transgender bill in South Dakota similar to North Carolina’s HB 2. Daugaard joins a long line of Republicans from around the country and major companies that have opposed HB 2.
And last week, the Chair of the Republican Governor’s Association cited a “scheduling conflict” and canceled a trip to North Carolina that was intended to show support for Gov. McCrory.
To date, more than 180 leading CEOs and business leaders urging Governor Pat McCrory and the North Carolina General Assembly to repeal the radical provisions in the deeply discriminatory law that was rammed through the legislature on March 23. A copy of the updated letter, calling for the repeal of HB 2, which was first made public on Tuesday, March 29, can be found here.
HB 2 has eliminated existing municipal non-discrimination protections for LGBT people and prevents such protections from being passed by cities in the future. In addition, the legislation prevents transgender students in public schools from using restrooms and other facilities consistent with their gender identity. It also compels the same type of discrimination against transgender people to take place in publicly-owned buildings, including in public universities, major airports, and convention centers.
Gov. Pat McCrory and state lawmakers are under increasingly intense pressure to repeal the discriminatory HB 2. Mayors and governors across the country are banning travel to the state, musicians are cancelling concerts, and theNew York Times editorial board called North Carolina a “pioneer in bigotry.” Major film studios and corporations, from PayPal to Deutsche Bank, have stopped investments in the state because of the new law. The United Kingdom’s Foreign Office has even warned its LGBT citizens of the risks of traveling to North Carolina.
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