NC Lawmakers Announce Special Session for Wednesday to Void Charlotte LGBT Protections Ordinance
Will Spend $42,000 Per Day to Target Civil Liberties of Transgender Citizens
A recently-passed nondiscrimination ordinance extending protections to LGBT people in Charlotte has spurred the entire state legislature into a special session. Lawmakers will spend $42,000 per day to act before the law goes into effect April 1. The most contentious portion of the ordinance allows transgender people to use public restrooms that correspond to their gender identity.Â
Republican Gov. Pat McCrory is opposed to Charlotte’s NDO but refused to order lawmakers into a special session, preferring to wait until a scheduled short session begins April 25.Â
Lt. Gov. Dan Forest, the president of the Senate, and House Speaker Tim Moore, both Republicans, ordered lawmakers back with little more than 24-hours notice, for a session to begin Wednesday.
General Assembly Will Hold Special Session to Stop Radical Charlotte Bathroom Ordinance this Wednesday at 10AM #ncpol
— Lt. Gov. Dan Forest (@LtGovDanForest) March 21, 2016
“We aim to repeal this ordinance before it goes into effect to provide for the privacy and protection of the women and children of our state,†Lt. Gov. Forest and Speaker Moore said in a statement. They claim the ordinance allows “men to share public bathrooms and locker rooms with young girls and women,” and labeled it “radical.”
The News & Observer notes Charlotte’s Democratic Mayor Jennifer Roberts “called the special session ‘a waste of taxpayer money.'”
Special session is a waste of taxpayer money. #ncga should focus on teacher pay, not taking away rights.
— Mayor of Charlotte (@CLTMayor) March 21, 2016
Â
Â
Image via WikimediaÂ
Â
Â
Â

Enjoy this piece?
… then let us make a small request. The New Civil Rights Movement depends on readers like you to meet our ongoing expenses and continue producing quality progressive journalism. Three Silicon Valley giants consume 70 percent of all online advertising dollars, so we need your help to continue doing what we do.
NCRM is independent. You won’t find mainstream media bias here. From unflinching coverage of religious extremism, to spotlighting efforts to roll back our rights, NCRM continues to speak truth to power. America needs independent voices like NCRM to be sure no one is forgotten.
Every reader contribution, whatever the amount, makes a tremendous difference. Help ensure NCRM remains independent long into the future. Support progressive journalism with a one-time contribution to NCRM, or click here to become a subscriber. Thank you. Click here to donate by check.
![]() |