HB2 Stands

CHARLOTTE — A special session of the North Carolina General Assembly called earlier this week by Governor Pat McCrory for the purpose of rescinding HB2, the state’s so-called “Bathroom Bill,” has adjourned with the law remaining in place. According to a report in the Charlotte Observer, the Senate voted down a repeal of the bill while the House adjourned without taking a vote.

The special session followed a 10-0 vote earlier in the week by the Charlotte City Council to rescind its ordinance related to LGBTQ rights, the passing of which had prompted the passage of HB2 in a special session of the NC General Assembly last March. The City Council had reportedly voted to rescind the ordinance in the expectation that the General Assembly would in turn vote to rescind HB2. Charlotte’s repeal of its LGBT ordinance was contingent upon the General Assembly’s appeal of HB2 by Dec. 31.

Democrats and Republicans within the city and state government exchanged charges that the other had reneged on provisions of a deal that was ostensibly intended to result in a return to the status quo that existed before the initial action by Charlotte’s City Council.

The law has become the focus of national attention and has resulted in, among other things, a number of companies boycotting last April’s High Point Market, the NBA’s decision to relocate its 2017 All-Star game out of Charlotte and the NCAA’s decision to relocate seven of its championship games to other venues outside North Carolina.

For more complete local coverage click here.