The Carrboro Board of Aldermen unanimously passed a resolution calling for the repeal of North Carolina House Bill 2 and affirming the dignity of LGBT individuals Saturday.
On March 23, N.C. Governor Pat McCrory signed House Bill 2, the Public Facilities Privacy and Security Act, which focuses on requirements for public bathrooms and changing areas. It requires individuals to use the bathroom that corresponds with their biological sex — sparking protest from the transgender community.
The bill was a response to a local anti-discrimination ordinance passed by the Charlotte City Council in February that protected LGBT individuals.
"Our town, Carrboro, has a reputation and a long history of advocating for the rights and protections of the LGBT community," said Carrboro Mayor Lydia Lavelle.
The Carrboro resolution commended the Charlotte City Council for their ordinance and asked that the N.C. General Assembly repeal House Bill 2.
"We're talking about trans folks who are invisible-ized and marginalized in a very different way than I am," Board of Aldermen member Michelle Johnson said.
"Yes, we need to be decent people, but we also need to change our cultural norms and shift the way that we are as a collective."
Board of Aldermen member Sammy Slade introduced a second resolution to strongly condemn the North Carolina legislators and Gov. Pat McCrory who ratified and signed House Bill 2. The board passed the resolution unanimously.
Board of Aldermen member Bethany Chaney urged attendees to continue to vote for elected officials that advocate for the ideals of the community.
