Gov. Roy Cooper Calls For Repeal Of HB2 In Inaugural Address: “Let. Them. Vote.”

“This Law Has Isolated And Hurt A Lot Of People,” Democrat Says

Democratic North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper called for the repeal of House Bill 2, the state’s horrific anti-LGBT law, during a televised inaugural address on Saturday morning. 

“There are enough bipartisan votes in the legislature right now to fully repeal HB2 with no strings attached,” Cooper said. “This is not complicated. In fact, it’s very simple: Let. Them. Vote.” 

Cooper defeated Republican Pat McCrory in November in large part due to the incumbent’s support for HB2, which has cost the state’s economy hundreds of millions of dollars. The law nullifies LGBT-inclusive nondiscrimination ordinances and requires trans people to use restrooms based on the sex listed on their birth certificates in government buildings. 

Cooper canceled this weekend’s inaugural festivities due to the forecasted winter storm, instead broadcasting the address from the governor’s mansion. 

“House Bill 2 is exactly the kind of social issue we don’t need on our books,” Cooper said, adding that he’ll fight any law that makes one group “less in the eyes of their fellow citizens.”

“This law has isolated and hurt a lot of people, damaged our state’s reputation, and cost our economy hundreds of millions of dollars that could have paid our teachers and firefighters or built new highways,” he said. 

Cooper added that he wants to send a message to business CEOs and event organizers who pulled out of North Carolina over the law. 

“North Carolina is open for business,” he said. “We want to welcome you and all kinds of people back to one of the most innovative business climates in America.” 

Cooper also used the address to call for Medicaid expansion in North Carolina. 

Watch the full address on Cooper’s Facebook page, and read the full text from the Associated Press.