HB2, North Carolina’s notorious “bathroom bill“, required transgender people to use the bathroom in accordance to the assigned gender from their birth certificate and prohibited nondiscrimination ordinances. The bill that has replaced it, HB142, is just as terrible. Under it, public universities, local governments and school boards have to attain permission from the General Assembly to pass trans-inclusive regulations. HB142 also fails to protect the rights of the LGBT+ community until December of 2020.
One of the factors that expedited HB142 has to do with the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) and the deadline that would ultimately determine if North Carolina could be considered as a host for championship events. The NCAA openly commented on HB2 and gave North Carolina one year to repeal it. In an effort to submit a bid to the association, the North Carolina House of Representatives literally waited until the last second to produce something that does not fix or assuage the situation affecting transgender people. If a state’s leaders believe a sport is worth more than a human life, they simply do not belong in a government office.
Many Civil rights organizations and celebrities vehemently oppose HB142 and demand an actual repeal. Chad Griffin, President of The Human Rights Campaign says “This new law does not repeal HB2. Instead, it institutes a statewide prohibition on equality by banning non-discrimination protections across North Carolina and fuels the flames of anti-transgender hate. Each and every lawmaker who supported this bill has betrayed the LGBTQ community.”
PP stands w the LGBTQ community in NC & across the country. Fake #HB2 "deal" would hurt the same people who count on us for care. #RepealHB2
— Cecile Richards (@CecileRichards) March 30, 2017
Must Read: Don’t Be Fooled by NC, There Is No Repeal of The Anti-Trans HB2, Only More Discrimination. #HB2 https://t.co/UeYYNxtmCa
— Laverne Cox (@Lavernecox) March 30, 2017
North Carolina’s lawmakers can claim that HB142 is a step toward equality, but it does not reverse present harm or add LGBT+ protection in an inclusive manner. Hiding discriminatory action behind a document that contains the word “repeal” is not a compromise. Human rights cannot be compromised.
