Breaking: NY Governor Andrew Cuomo Bans Non-Essential State Travel to North Carolina

First State to Act in Response to North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory Signing Anti-LGBT Bill Into Law

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo Monday night signed an executive order banning all non-essential state funded or state sponsored travel to North Carolina. The ban, effective immediately, is on “publicly funded travel that is not essential to the enforcement of state law or public health and safety.”

“In New York, we believe that all people – regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation – deserve the same rights and protections under the law,” Governor Cuomo in a statement. “From Stonewall to marriage equality, our state has been a beacon of hope and equality for the LGBT community, and we will not stand idly by as misguided legislation replicates the discrimination of the past. As long as there is a law in North Carolina that creates the grounds for discrimination against LGBT people, I am barring non-essential state travel to that state.”

EARLIER: Lawsuit Against North Carolina Filed In Federal Court Over Sweeping Anti-LGBT Law

Gov. Cuomo, a Democrat, signed a similar order last year when GOP Gov. Mike Pence signed an anti-LGBT “religious freedom” bill into law.

Earlier in the day Seattle Mayor Ed Murray signed a similar executive order:

 

EARLIER:

North Carolina Gov. McCrory in Hot Seat as Apple, Google, NBA, Many Others Denounce Anti-LGBT Law

NOW: Activists Protest Anti-LGBT Bill at Governor’s Mansion and Throughout North Carolina (Video)

Pat McCrory Says He Signed the Broadest Anti-LGBT Bill in the Nation to Prevent Government Overreach

 

Image by Diana Robinson via Flickr and a CC license