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NCTE, Equality NC, and HRC Urge Charlotte City Council to Keep LGBT Protections in Place

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Ash Orr (they/he)

Today, the National Center for Transgender Equality, along with Equality North Carolina and the Human Rights Campaign, sent a letter to Charlotte Mayor Jennifer Roberts and the seven City Council members who voted for LGBT non-discrimination protections earlier this year. The letter comes amid reports of a possible deal between the CIty Council and the North Carolina General Assembly that could potentially involve repealing the city’s non-discrimination ordinance. The Councilmembers who voted in favor of these crucial protections were: Julie Eiselt, James Mitchell, Al Austin, Patsy Kinsey, John Autry,  LaWana Mayfield and Vi Lyles.

In the letter, NCTE Executive Director Mara Keisling, Equality North Carolina Executive Director Chris Sgro, and HRC President Chad Griffin urge the mayor and City Council members not to repeal these vital protections.

Keisling said:

Several months ago, the Charlotte City Council made a commitment to making sure that everyone, transgender or not, is treated equally. For the city government to now go back on its word and undo basic nondiscrimination protections would be devastating and wrong. It would once again make Charlotte one of the few major cities in the country that do not have antidiscrimination protections for transgender people.  It would send a message to transgender people in North Carolina and around the country that the city council is willing to sacrifice our wellbeing and safety for a malicious political tradeoff. The transgender community is counting on the Charlotte city government to stand with us at a time we need their support more than ever, rather than buckling under Gov. McCrory’s inept leadership and bullying tactics. We urge the city council to do the right thing.

The letter follows:

Dear Councilmembers,

We respectfully write to you on behalf of Equality North Carolina, the National Center for Transgender Equality and the Human Rights Campaign’s millions of members and supporters, who continue to admire your courage and resilience in the fight to repeal HB2.

Four months ago, you boldly passed protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) citizens -- critical nondiscrimination protections that already exist in 18 states and more than 100 other cities across the country. In fact, Charlotte was one of only a handful of major cities without these protections. Despite facing threats from Governor Pat McCrory and lawmakers in Raleigh, you voted to make the Queen City a more just, more equal place. With your votes, you forced our fellow Americans to address the rampant inequality that LGBT Americans -- particularly transgender Americans continue to face every day.

You know all too well the backlash that has ensued. Our opponents mobilized as we knew

they would and rammed through the hateful HB2 in less than a day, with none of the discussion or deliberation in which you thoughtfully engaged. With more than 200 business leaders, major entertainers, and the NCAA and NBA unifying against HB2, including cancelling plans to move to or perform in the city, times have been undoubtedly difficult in Charlotte and across North Carolina. But make no mistake, your votes onFebruary 22 did not cause this. The reckless actions of state leaders, elected to protect all citizens, did. They are the ones who jeopardized and continue to jeopardize the state’s economic opportunities.

The road ahead may be long, and the challenges today may feel insurmountable, but we write today to urge you to stay the course. Backing down in the face of hate isn’t right and it won’t work. Too many people -- in North Carolina and across this country -- have already suffered at the hands of Governor McCrory, Senator Phil Berger and House Speaker Tim Moore. Not at your hands. But cutting a deal with the likes of lawmakers -- or a Chamber that didn’t support Charlotte’s non-discrimination ordinance in the first place -- would be foolish and dangerous. They have no desire to take even a single step to ensure LGBT people retain the protections every single American so rightfully deserves.

You must not waiver in your commitment, pin your hopes on a costly and long court battle, or undermine the very values you all fought to protect. You are lawmakers. In passing the ordinance, you were doing your job. We urge you to resist retreating, to resist putting what’s easy over what’s right. A deal that calls for a repeal of the ordinance  would only tarnish the legacy of your city which you have worked so hard to strengthen.

This moment in which we find ourselves is quickly defining the type of nation we are destined to be. Today, you are standing on the right side of history. As Councilmember Al Austin said the night you passed the ordinance, “Are we a city that panders to fear and hate to those who wish to perpetuate fear and injustice? I say to you, ‘Not on my watch.’” That was true then, and remains true now. We cannot ‘compromise’ on equality and the world is watching.

Respectfully,

Chris Sgro, Executive Director, Equality North Carolina
Mara Keisling, Executive Director, National Center for Transgender Equality
Chad Griffin, President, Human Rights Campaign

 

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