The Orange County Board of Commissioners proposed legislation authorizing individual counties to include sexual orientation and gender identity as protected classes of citizens and the repeal of House Bill 2 at their meeting on Tuesday.
Orange County Attorney John Roberts said the legislation's purpose is to request that HB2 be repealed.
“If (the state government) doesn’t, it is hopeful that they may authorize individual counties to make the decision for themselves,” he said.
Commissioner Renee Price said she wanted HB2 repealed and was not entirely in support of comprising with the state by allowing them to authorize individual counties.
She also said it is important to her that North Carolina includes sexual orientation as a protected class.
Mark Dorosin, vice chair of the board, said he wants the state to repeal HB2, but also would like to have county authorization as a back up plan.
“I think it is important for us to include in the language the word ‘or,’” he said.
Dorosin said this word choice is necessary to maximize the board's options.
The board was in agreement with the need for HB2 to be repealed.
