CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Charlotte City Council has announced plans to repeal their controversial non-discrimination ordinance under the condition that state lawmakers repeal House Bill 2 by December 31, WGHP reports.
The non-discrimination ordinance, commonly known as the “bathroom” ordinance, was approved by Charlotte Mayor Jennifer Roberts and the council in early 2016, according to WBTV. The ordinance called for businesses to allow people to use the bathroom corresponding to their gender identity.
In response to the ordinance, Republicans in the North Carolina General Assembly called a special session to pass HB 2.
HB 2, which was signed by Gov. Pat McCrory in March, nullified local government ordinances establishing anti-discrimination protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. But it gained widespread attention for its stipulation requiring people in publicly owned buildings to use restrooms that correspond with the gender listed on their birth certificate.
North Carolina Governor-elect Roy Cooper posted about the Charlotte City Council’s vote on Twitter Monday morning.
“Senate Leader Phil Berger and House Speaker Tim Moore assured me that as a result of Charlotte’s vote, a special session will be called for Tuesday to repeal HB 2 in full. I hope they will keep their word to me and with the help of Democrats in the legislature, HB 2 will be repealed in full. Full repeal will help to bring jobs, sports and entertainment events back and will provide the opportunity for strong LGBT protections in our state.”
Governor Pat McCrory’s office responded to the Charlotte council’s decision:
“Governor McCrory has always publicly advocated a repeal of the overreaching Charlotte ordinance. But those efforts were always blocked by Jennifer Roberts, Roy Cooper and other Democratic activists,” said Press Secretary Graham Wilson. “This sudden reversal with little notice after the gubernatorial election sadly proves this entire issue originated by the political left was all about politics and winning the governor’s race at the expense of Charlotte and our entire state. As promised, Governor McCrory will call a special session.”
Since HB 2 was signed into law, several NCAA and ACC championships were moved from the state and rescheduled.
