RALEIGH, N.C. — Dueling demonstrations were hosted Monday near North Carolina’s Capitol by supporters and opponents of a law that limits antidiscrimination policies for lesbian, gay and transgender people.
RALEIGH, N.C. — Dueling demonstrations were hosted Monday near North Carolina’s Capitol by supporters and opponents of a law that limits antidiscrimination policies for lesbian, gay and transgender people.
The North Carolina Values coalition invited clergy, businessmen and an author to address people who think the state’s Republican leaders did the right thing. Smaller prayer vigils have been held in several cities by supporters of the law.
Meanwhile, a group that wants to repeal the law, “Triangle Families against HB2,” read eulogies of transgender people who faced violence and discrimination. Both rallies were on or near the old Capitol grounds.
Others, including the Rev. William Barber, president of North Carolina’s NAACP branch, also threatened civil disobedience later this month if the law isn’t repealed.
Barber, known for past headline-grabbing protests that included hundreds of arrests at the Legislature, called for a “mass sit-in” when the legislative session starts April 25 if the law isn’t repealed before then. A separate group of clergy representing the LGBT community announced it would also take part in civil disobedience if the law isn’t repealed.
The rallies come while vocal national opposition to the law continues. Business executives are urging Gov. Pat McCrory and legislators to repeal the law. Bruce Springsteen canceled his Greensboro concert Sunday because of the law.
The state law was passed after Charlotte adopted a nondiscrimination ordinance allowing transgender people to use public restrooms in line with their gender identification.
The state law overrules LGBT antidiscrimination measures passed by local governments. It also excludes sexual orientation and gender identity from the state’s antidiscrimination policy and prevents people from filing employment discrimination lawsuits in state courts.
Conservatives championed a provision that requires transgender people to use public restrooms that match the sex on their birth certificate, saying the law protects women and children from men who would use antidiscrimination measures as a pretense to enter the wrong restroom.