CHARLOTTE — Reaction came quickly after the governor's executive order regarding HB2 Tuesday afternoon. Many believe the governor didn't go far enough, in gutting parts of the controversial measure.
Democrat state Rep. Tricia Cotham co-sponsored a bill to repeal House Bill 2.
She told Channel 9 the bill would hopefully be taken up on April 25 when the state Legislature goes into session again.
However, after Gov. Pat McCrory released his executive order, asking for legislation to restore the right to sue for discrimination and restoring legal protection for LGBT citizens when it comes to government employment, Cotham said it was a good step but that McCrory showed poor leadership.
"Clearly he's listened to the polling data. He's heard the outcry. He's seen the protests. He just should've done that from the beginning," Cotham said.
Cotham wasn't sure how lawmakers would react to the executive order as several groups opposed to HB2 continued to push the Legislature to repeal the entire law.
Channel 9 spoke to several people who were glad that public bathrooms will remain gender specific, because they are concerned about children and safety.
However, they applauded steps toward equality.
Niksa Balbosa doesn't agree with much of what McCrory does but she agrees with the order.
"They should be treated equally, as anyone else, respected as anyone else," she said.
A company, Duetsche Bank, announced Tuesday it would not add 250 jobs to its office in Cary because of HB2.
Resident David Delao said he was saddened to see companies pull out and hopes altering the law will change that.
"I hate that these companies left," he said. "Charlotte's a growing area. It's a beautiful place and gives people the opportunity to come here and live here."
The American Unity Fund, a nonprofit pro-LGBT organization, also released a statement Tuesday saying in part, "We thank Governor McCrory for his willingness to recognize the mistakes of HB2 and act decisively to fix some of the damage. All eyes turn now to the General Assembly as it reconvenes later this month. They must continue the process of reconciliation and the only way to do that is to repeal HB2."?