Here is a series of updates regarding the discriminatory, anti-gay law enacted in North Carolina, and the ensuing backlash.
Washington governor bans travel to NC
Olympia (AP) – Washington Gov. Jay Inslee has barred non-essential state-funded travel to North Carolina because of the state’s new law that prevents local governments from protecting people based on sexual orientation and gender identity when they use public accommodations such as hotels.
Inslee announced the travel ban March 29 and praised Washington’s law that requires buildings open to the public to allow transgender people to use the bathrooms and locker rooms consistent with their gender identity. In North Carolina, the law was spurred by a Charlotte ordinance that allowed transgender people to use the restroom that aligns with their gender identity.
An attempt to reverse Washington’s rule in the state Legislature this year was voted down in the Republican-controlled Senate. Seattle Mayor Ed Murray on March 28 banned city employee travel to North Carolina. New York’s mayor has also enacted a ban.
NC governor criticizes travel ban
Albany (AP) – A spokesman for North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory is criticizing New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo after he banned nonessential publicly funded travel to North Carolina after that state’s Legislature blocked anti-discrimination protections for gay, lesbian and transgender people.
McCrory spokesman Josh Ellis said March 29 that Cuomo’s move shows “hypocrisy and demagoguery.” He questioned whether the Democrat would ask the Syracuse University basketball team to boycott the upcoming Final Four because it is hosted by Houston, where voters last year defeated a non-discrimination ordinance.
As a private university, Syracuse would not be subject to a state travel ban even if one existed.
Ellis also noted that Cuomo last year visited Cuba, a country that he says has a “deplorable” human rights record.
Cuomo had called North Carolina’s action “misguided” and discriminatory.
Atlanta city leaders ask NBA to move All-Star game
Atlanta (AP) – Atlanta city leaders asked the NBA to consider moving the 2017 All-Star Game their way from Charlotte after North Carolina lawmakers passed legislation criticized as limiting protections for LGBT people.
Atlanta’s City Council introduced a resolution at a meeting asking the NBA to consider Atlanta after North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory signed a law critics called discriminatory against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons.
The North Carolina law prevents Charlotte and other local governments from approving LGBT protections in such places as restaurants, hotels and stores. That state’s Republican-led Legislature said Charlotte city leaders went too far with a local anti-discrimination ordinance that, among other things, would have allowed transgender people to use restrooms that align with their gender identity.
A statement from Atlanta City Council President Caesar Mitchell said his city has a welcoming spirit as a top tourist and convention draw and home to several Fortune 500 companies.
“We appreciate the invitation but are hopeful that the city of Charlotte and the state of North Carolina can work through their differences far in advance of the 2017 All-Star Game,” NBA spokesman Mike Bass responded in a statement.
McRory shot back at Atlanta city leaders Tuesday night, saying North Carolina isn’t the only state to pursue such legislation.
“Thankfully no college team from Georgia made the Final Four again this year. Otherwise, the Atlanta City Council would have to boycott the City of Houston where voters overwhelmingly rejected a bathroom ordinance that was nearly identical to the one rejected by State of North Carolina,” said an emailed statement from McRory communications director Josh Ellis.
Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal on Monday vetoed proposed legislation that critics called discriminatory toward LGBT people. The nixed legislation would have let clergy refuse to marry same-sex couples and religious affiliated groups could have used religious beliefs as a basis to refuse service or decline a hiring.
Charlotte tourism and convention officials are concerned about backlash such as potential event cancellations, Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority CEO Tom Murray said.
“This issue is in danger of setting us back from the progress we’ve made in positioning Charlotte as an attractive, inclusive destination,” Murray’s statement said, urging leaders to find a resolution in “the best interests of our city and state.”
Chicago mayor plans to poach business from NC
Chicago (AP) – Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel says he will try to poach businesses and conventions from North Carolina because of a law eliminating anti-discrimination protections for lesbians, gays and bisexuals.
Emanuel also says he will he ban the use of city funds for nonessential travel to the state.
The law also prohibits transgender people from using washrooms that do not match the gender they had at birth.
Emanuel pointed to his ability to lure a Whole Foods warehouse and 200 jobs from Indiana to Chicago because of that state’s passage of a bill that raised concerns about discrimination against gays and lesbians. The mayor also threw in a $7.4 million subsidy.
Emanuel said he has asked his staff to draw up a list of North Carolina companies they think “we can talk into considering a move to Chicago.”
