City of Charlotte supports HB2 repeal while mayor blasts new law

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By Paul Boyd

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — There’s mixed reaction among Charlotte leaders over the new law that repeals the controversial transgender bathroom law, House Bill 2.

Charlotte Mayor Jennifer Roberts blasted the new law and called it a “false repeal” of HB2 and rebuked the efforts of Republican leaders and Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper through a statement on Twitter. She declined an on-camera interview and refused to talk about the bill as she left an event at the Charlotte Convention Center.

Charlotte Mayor Jennifer Roberts released a statement, voicing her opposition to HB142: 

"I am deeply disappointed that the Republican leaders in the General Assembly continue to see LGBT people as unequal and refuse to let cities like Charlotte govern themselves. They passed HB2 and continued to prevent a clean repeal of the bill - even after the City of Charlotte met all of their demands.

Personally, I would like nothing more than a repeal of HB2, but this is not a repeal nor is this a reset. This is a rejection of Charlotte's and North Carolina's progressive, inclusive values. We are not HB2, and we are not today's false repeal."

But the city of Charlotte and some members of City Council have voiced their full support of the bill repeal compromise.

[RELATED: What is the difference between HB142 and HB2?]

“I think it's good news for North Carolina,” said councilmember Ed Driggs. “This whole HB2 issue is causing a lot more problems, frankly, in my opinion, than the subject itself is worth - regardless of which side you were on.”

Democratic Mayor Pro Tem Vi Lyles focused on the positives of the new law.

“My reaction is that we’re going to have the opportunity to go out and recruit businesses,” Lyles said. “We’re going to have more opportunities to host entertainment and sports events. All of that’s important because it creates jobs and opportunity for our citizens."

Charlotte Chamber CEO Bob Morgan shared the same sentiment. He said North Carolina can expect major announcements from businesses in the coming weeks now that HB2 is history.

"It's a new conversation with our economic development prospects and people we are trying to bring to our state. A great step forward," Morgan said.

The road to HB2 began when Charlotte City Council passed the so-called bathroom ordinance in February 2016. It sparked a showdown in Raleigh, where state Republicans and then-Gov. McCrory formed HB2, which required transgender people to use restrooms in schools and government buildings corresponding to the sex on their birth certificate. The City Council rescinded the ordinance in December, which helped set the stage for Thursday’s repeal.

City of Charlotte's full statement on HB2 repeal:

"This morning, a bill was introduced to the North Carolina Senate that overturns HB2. HB142 passed the Senate in a 32-16 vote and proceeded to the North Carolina House of Representatives for a vote. This afternoon, the House passed it in a 70-48 vote. Governor Roy Cooper signed the bill into law, meaning HB142 is now in effect and HB2 has been repealed. Please see the City statement below:

We are pleased that the North Carolina legislature has taken this important step by repealing House Bill 2. This legislation has impacted economic development, tourism, businesses and more over the last year, and we look forward to moving beyond this matter.

By repealing HB2, this bill reinstates Charlotte's non-discrimination ordinance as it read prior to February 22, 2016. That means that a place of public accommodation (i.e., "a business, accommodation, refreshment, entertainment, recreation, or transportation facility … whose goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages or accommodations are extended, offered, sold or otherwise made available to the public") may not discriminate based on race, color, religion, national origin, or sex. Complaints of discrimination may now again be filed with the City's Community Relations Committee which will investigate and bring an enforcement action if warranted.

The City of Charlotte remains committed to being a welcoming and inclusive city."

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