North Carolina Democrats filed legislation that would repeal their state’s transgender bathroom bill Thursday.
Six state legislators introduced legislation that would not only repeal House Bill 2, but also extend protections to the gay community, reports the Washington Blade.
“The bill introduced today is a clean repeal of HB2 and provides enhanced statewide non-discrimination protections,” Rep. Pricey Harrison said about the legislation. “This bill reflects North Carolina values, unlike HB2. It is long overdue and we will work our hardest to enact this legislation.”
Both of the bills, House Bill 78 and 82, would get rid of the state’s transgender bathroom law; it would also be legal for people to use the bathroom of their choice.
The bills designate gender identity, sexual orientation, family status and military status as protected groups under the law.
Private businesses can set their bathroom policy as they please, while religious schools can still use religion as a necessity for entrance.
House Bill 78 adds a clause not found in House Bill 82: It would increase the sentence for anyone charged with committing a sex crime while in the bathroom.
The president of the North Carolina Family Policy Council condemned the bill as dangerous and a threat to the religious community.
“These bills would open bathrooms, showers, locker rooms and changing facilities across North Carolina to anyone at any time and would enact into law the exact weapons used in other states to attack and punish people of faith who are seeking to peacefully live their lives and operate their businesses in accordance with their deeply held religious beliefs,” John Rustin said.
North Carolina’s bathroom bill caused a deep division in the state. The bill, which prevents transgenders from using the bathroom according to their gender identity, caused many protests. Celebrities and businesses threatened to boycott the state over the bill.
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