Over the past two months, the southern state of North Carolina has passed several controversial anti-LGTBQ laws despite federal legislation in support of the community. Despite the large step through the inequality gap in June of 2015, with a 5-4 Supreme Court ruling to make same-sex marriage legal in all 50 states, discrimination is still around. These laws in North Carolina, though, target transgenders.
On March 23, Governor Pat McCrory signed House Bill 2 that stated a person must use a single-sex, multiple-person bathroom and changing facility based on their biological gender, which was stated on their birth certificate under Part I, Section 1.1, definition a1. It also stated under Part III, Section 3.1, subsection a that “it is the public policy of this State to protect… all persons…without discrimination or abridgement on account of… biological sex.” Meaning that, again, transgenders were allowed to be discriminated against.
The bill didn’t come about until the city of Charlotte outlawed LGBTQ discrimination in February, according to the Washington Post. McCrory and his legislature retaliated almost immediately, enforcing the rule that cities weren’t allowed to go against state bills and give rights or protections to LGBTQs. North Carolina is the third state to ban anti-discrimination ordinances.
According to The Charlotte Observer, a local NC newspaper, McCrory has received so much heat from HB2 that he’ll hopefully be forced to retreat. But he justifies his bill as protecting innocent men, women and children in a private place.
On March 29, over 1,000 citizens gathered together and closed down Chapel Hill in protest of McCrory and his legislation. They demanded repeal. Only a day later, students, faculty and townspeople at the University of North Carolina Wilmington marched across the campus to add to the protest.This protest was led by UNCW’s PRIDE, which was established in 1986 as an LGBTQ organization.
One student in particular, though, had a lot to say about this discriminatory bill. Freshman Cassandria Skylar Morgan was hit by this very personally, seeing that she is a transgender woman.
“I had been extremely outraged,” Morgan said. “To those who think that this kind of discrimination is justified… you should be ashamed of yourself for belittling others.”
In response, Governor Tom Wolf came out April 6 declaring that a state executive order will be passed to stop discrimination against the LGBTQ community according to the Associated Press. Wolf wants Pennsylvania to be a welcoming state. It should be noted that Wolf has taken appropriate measures to address the issue.
Additionally, renowned musician Bruce Springsteen released a statement to North Carolinians on April 8 that read “I feel that this is a time for me and the band to show solidarity for those freedom fighters… with deepest apologies to our dedicated fans… we have cancelled our show scheduled for [April 10].” It was stated that all ticketholders will receive refunds.
With all of the equal rights controversy going on, Mississippi state governor Phil Bryant also stepped up to pass House Bill 1523 on April 5. This law states that any person or institution claiming to refuse service to the LGBTQ community based on their religious beliefs has the right to do so. Unfortunately, based on HB1523, this includes and is not limited to medical treatments such as surgery, gender reassignment, psychological counseling and fertility services. LGBTQ couples can also be denied marriage counseling, wedding planning services, venues, jewelry sales, limousines, car rentals and more.
Bryant, in order to defend himself, posted on social media that “I am signing HB 1523 into law to protect sincerely held religious beliefs… the bill does not limit any [federal] constitutionally protected rights.” Yet in June 2015, Supreme Court decided state-level bans on same-sex marriage were unconstitutional. Does denying an LGBTQ couple almost every necessity toward their union not count?
Some blame the party status of McCrory and Bryant, claiming that the Republican party is purposefully trying to rebuild walls that Democratic President Barack Obama has helped to tear down.