N. Carolina Lawmakers Denounce Federal Threat On Transgender Bathroom Law
RALEIGH, N.C. (CBSNewYork/AP) — North Carolina's Republican leaders are calling a federal warning about the legality of the state's new law limiting LGBT anti-discrimination rules a broad overreach by the government.
The Justice Department sent letters Wednesday to Gov. Pat McCrory, the head of the University of North Carolina system and another agency saying federal officials view the law known as House Bill 2 as violating federal Civil Rights Act protections.
An anti-discrimination ordinance approved in February in Charlotte that, among other things, would have allowed transgender people to use bathrooms corresponding to their gender identity led to a special legislative session.
The law also requires transgender people to use restrooms corresponding to their biological sex and bars local governments statewide from prohibiting discrimination in public places based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
The move sparked a flurry of criticism and protests from LGBT advocates as well as from leaders from other states. Musicians like Pearl Jam, Ringo Starr and Bruce Springsteen canceled concerts in North Carolina in protest, while New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Connecticut Gov. Dan Malloy issued non-essential travel bans to the state.
McCrory and state legislative leaders are deciding what to do in response, but it doesn't sound like the Republicans' plans will include canceling the law.
The Justice Department wants state officials to declare they won't carry out the law and allow people to access bathrooms and other facilities "consistent with their gender identity."
McCrory and fellow Republicans say President Barack Obama's administration has gone too far by stepping in.
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