The Charlotte, N.C., City Council will not vote on a repeal of its LGBT-inclusive nondiscrimination ordinance when it meets tonight.
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Prior to the vote, the council heard remarks from individuals seeking to meet public statements, which Monday night included national and local LGBT advocates. It was until weeks later that our General Assembly passed legislation that was sweeping that business said, ‘You know what?
Smith, Ed Driggs, Claire Fallon and Greg Phipps voted in favor of having a repeal vote. It was the same margin as February 22, when the council approved the ordinance, which expanded protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in public accommodations.
“Say no”, Driggs told his colleagues about how legislators would respond.
Erica Lachowitz, a transgender woman, thanked Charlotte leaders. The U.S. Department of Justice has also filed suit against the state over HB2. “Any repeal of LGBT protections is bad for business, bad for Charlotte’s future”, Mayor Jennifer Roberts tweeted before Monday’s council meeting. “For any conversations to happen, Charlotte needs to take a look at what it did and needs to be the first to make any movement before there’s any conversation”. The bill also mandates that people in government buildings use the bathroom of the sex on their birth certificate.
Later in the meeting, Republican Charlotte City Council member Kenny Smith proposed a resolution to place repealing the ordinance on the agenda for Wednesday.
But over the weekend, support for repealing the city’s ordinance faltered.
“Do your job”, she said. He previously said he was out of the country when it passed; stated it’s up to the courts to decide if it’s valid; suggested it doesn’t actually discriminate; and declared it a state issue.
“We are looking to them”, she said. “I have been talking to council members and others throughout this day”. The state said Charlotte overstepped its boundaries. Economic impact information will be shared with council in writing and provided to the media. Under the compromise, after Charlotte repealed its LGBT non-discrimination ordinance, the state legislature would undo HB 2. “There’s always compromise in getting people to do the right thing”. He had no additional comment Tuesday, a spokeswoman said. The Chamber has said that it opposes discrimination in all forms.
Even Burr said he didn’t blame local officials for sinking that agreement.
“The legislature botched what they were trying to do”, he said. “They didn’t expect us to stand up and fight back”. “It’s easy for Chad Griffin to come down here and wag his finger”.
The city is awaiting a decision by the National Basketball Association on whether it will hold its 2017 All-Star game in Charlotte as planned. “The only solution to this problem is repealing HB 2”.
Roberts has met with Moore and Republican Senate leader Phil Berger, whose chamber also would have to agree to any adjustments.
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“I don’t see a need to make any changes as far as HB2 is concerned”, he said.
