Post submitted by former HRC Deputy Communications Director, Liz Halloran

Today, Equality NC and HRC hailed North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper for reaffirming his commitment to fully repeal HB2. The deeply discriminatory HB2 was passed almost one year ago and has since wreaked havoc on the state’s economy and its people. Attempts to repeal during a special session last year were thwarted by Republican leadership, and now time is running out for full repeal: the NCAA is nearing a decision that could move all NCAA championship games and events out of North Carolina until 2022 if HB2 remains in effect.

“We commend Governor Roy Cooper for his continued support to repeal the deeply discriminatory HB2,” said Ames Simmons Director of Transgender Policy at Equality NC. “Every day that passes with HB2 on the books is another day that LGBTQ North Carolinians are subjected to discrimination and violence. House Speaker Tim Moore and Senate Leader Phil Berger must stop playing games - and finally, fully repeal HB2. Only with a full repeal of the harmful law can North Carolina begin to restore its reputation.”

“It is clear that Gov. Cooper, like the majority of North Carolinians, is ready to put the nightmare of HB2 in the rearview mirror by repealing this harmful legislation,” said JoDee Winterhof, Senior Vice President of Policy and Political Affairs of the Human Rights Campaign. “Since day one, HB2 has been nothing but trouble for North Carolina, and the blame for that lies squarely at the feet of the legislators who refuse to take any meaningful action to repeal it. Gov. Cooper is ready to move forward from this debacle; Republican leaders in the General Assembly and the Senate must follow suit.”

A broad range of voices have spoken out over the last year about the need for HB2’s full and complete repeal. The economic fallout -- including more than $600 million in lost business -- has continued to grow as companies concerned with protecting their consumers and employees have moved conventions, trainings, operations, productions, and other events out of state. The NBA, NCAA, and business leaders have made clear that they prioritize cities like New Orleans, Orlando and Dallas with fully inclusive nondiscrimination protections that ensure the safety of their employees and fans.

North Carolina polling released by HRC and Equality NC found that HB2 was the critical issue leading to Governor Pat McCrory’s defeat -- the only incumbent governor from either party to lose on election day last year. The survey found that voters opposed to HB2 by a 62 to 30 percent margin. HB2 was also listed as the leading reason to vote against McCrory -- with 57 percent citing HB2, 17 points above any other issue.