New anti-LGBT law in North Carolina undermining the state's economy

What some call ‘Hate Bill 2’ blocks protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and directs which restrooms transgender people can use

North Carolina’s statehouse was surrounded by demonstrators on Monday, protesting both for and against a new law supported by Republicans restraining protection for the LGBT community and limiting public bathroom access for transgender people. The new Bill is being referred to as ‘House Bill 2’.

Almost 40 people were arrested after protesters against the Bill refused to leave after the building closed for the night. That brings to 54 the number of those who oppose the law who were arrested or carried away on the opening day of the general assembly’s annual work session.

On the other side of the debate, thousands of Christian conservatives and other supporters of the law gathered on the opening day of the legislature to praise the mostly Republican legislators and GOP governor, Pat McCrory, for passing the restrictions during a special session last month.

“It took great courage for them to establish this bill,” said Doug Woods, a rally attendee.

Key lawmakers who pushed for the legislation also urged the rally attendees to contact colleagues and urge them to fight off efforts to overturn the law, the Guardian reports.

Early on Monday, about 200 people gathered on the grounds of the old Capitol building to hear speakers denounce the law, carrying cardboard boxes with what is said to be 180,000 signatures in favour of the repeal. By mid-afternoon their numbers had swelled to between 600 and 800.

Later on on Monday afternoon and evening, hundreds of protesters took turns sitting outside the offices of house speaker Tim Moore and Senate leader Phil Berger to demand a revocation of the law. Police then arrested 18 people.

“All but one are to be charged with second-degree trespassing,” general assembly police chief Martin Brock said.

“HB2 compounds the discrimination and marginalization of the transgender community, who already have to fight every day for their survival,” said Joaquin Carcano, a transgender man who is suing over the law. “Our privacy and safety matter too. Our right to feel safe and protected in this world does not infringe on anyone else’s right to the same,” he added.

Republican legislative leaders have shown a complete lack of interest in overturning the new law. GOP lawmakers have focused their discussion of HB2 on provisions requiring transgender people to use multi-stall restrooms that correspond to the gender on their birth certificate.

Democratic representative Grier Martin, a sponsor of the repeal bill, said the new law has tarnished North Carolina’s name and harmed its economy, referring to the fact that some companies have terminated their plans to expand into the state due to the law, while many other groups have cancelled their scheduled conventions.

“Approving the repeal immediately would not undo the incredible damage that House Bill 2 has done to our economy. But it would stop the bleeding and put North Carolina back on the path of progress and moving forward,” Martin reitirated.