Obama administration puts North Carolina on notice over anti-LBGT law
RALEIGH, N.C. — The U.S. Justice Department says a North Carolina law that limits protections to LGBT people violates federal civil rights laws.
The Obama Administration agency on Wednesday put North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory on notice that state officials must confirm by Monday that they will not comply with or implement the law called House Bill 2.
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A letter from the Justice Department obtained by The Associated Press said the law violates Title IX of the Civil Rights Act, which bars discrimination in education based on sex. That could lead to North Carolina losing hundreds of millions of dollars in federal school funding. According to the Charlotte Observer, the state's public schools received $861 million in federal funding for the 2015-2016 academic year.
The Observer reported that the letter specifically cited the law's discrimination against trans people:
"“HB 2...is facially discriminatory against transgender employees on the basis of sex because it treats transgender employees, whose gender identity does not match their biological sex, as defined by HB2, differently from similarly situated non transgender employees…
The bill's passing resulted in a slew of protests. Hundreds in Raleigh, North Carolina turned out and asked McCrory to repeal the law, while several big-name businesses, including PayPal, have backed out of planned developments in the state.
Facing similar economic and public pressure, an Alabama City recalled its own version of the bathroom bill Wednesday during a city council meeting, the Washington Post reported. That bill would have threatened trans people using bathrooms matching their gender identity with up to six months in prison.
Bathroom bills have been a hot topic in the presidential election.
Democratic presidential candidates Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton have issued statements condemning North Carolina's bill, while presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump has indicated that its implementation is a bad business move. Meanwhile, Ted Cruz, who suspended his campaign for the Republican nomination Tuesday evening, continues to be a vocal supporter.
Entertainers have also been quick to criticize the bill for its discriminatory provisions.
In a statement on her website published Wednesday, Beyoncé brought attention to "those who are committed to being good and carrying on the message of equality in this core of controversy," like Equality North Carolina, an organization that aims to strike down the law, although she will still perform in the state.
Other artists have cancelled tour stops in North Carolina, including Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam, Demi Lovato and Nick Jonas.
"Some things are more important than a rock show and this fight against prejudice and bigotry — which is happening as I write — is one of them," Springsteen wrote in a statement. "It is the strongest means I have for raising my voice in opposition to those who continue to push us backwards instead of forwards."
Mashable's Gillian Edevane contributed to this report.
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