He claimed it is “something we’ve never seen regarding Washington overreach in my lifetime”. Several other states have proposed similar laws limiting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender protections in recent months.
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“There is a precedent for the federal government holding the purse strings and saying, “Unless you follow our interpretation of civil rights, you won’t get your money”, she said”.
Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger (R) said that the federal government is using “our children and their educational futures as pawns to advance an agenda that will ultimately open those same children up to exploitation at the hands of sexual predators”, according to the Charlotte Observer.
“Basic concepts – common sense about privacy and expectations of privacy – are getting thrown out the window by what the Obama administration is trying to do in this”, Rep. Moore told reporters.
“Access to sex-segregated restrooms and other workplace facilities consistent with gender identity is a term, condition, or privilege of employment”, she wrote.
The Obama administration says that with the passage of House Bill 2, “the state is engaged in a pattern or practice of resistance to the full enjoyment of Title VII right by employees of public agencies”. Specifically, the DOJ expressed concern about a provision of the North Carolina law that forbids trans people from using the bathroom that aligns with their gender identity in any government building-including state universities. The law, which was signed by McCrory in March, also prevents cities from extending anti-discrimination laws to LGBT people and passing any increase in the minimum wage.
Vanita Gupta, a civil rights attorney who sent the Justice Department letter, called the law “facially discriminatory” because it treats transgender employees differently than “similarly situated” persons who are not transgender.
Being in violation of federal law puts some funding for the state at risk, member station WUNC’s Jeff Tiberii tells our Newscast Desk.
“It is now clearer than ever that this discriminatory law violates civil rights protections and jeopardizes billions of dollars in federal funds for North Carolina”, the American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina and Lambda Legal said in a statement.
McCrory said the letter signals a broader issue.
The Christian Action League of North Carolina – one of the primary backers of the controversial law – offered a scenery-chewing statement urging GOP lawmakers to disobey the Obama administration.
Recently Demi Lovato and Nick Jonas followed in the footsteps of Pearl Jam, Bruce Springsteen, Boston, Ani DiFranco and Ringo Starr, who have opted out of playing concerts in the state to make a stand against the newly-instated law.
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The state, which is already confronting investment boycotts from out-of-state businesses and the cancellation of sporting and entertainment events, will face additional financial penalties unless Governor Pat McCrory agrees to walk away from the law requiring transgender people to use bathrooms corresponding to their birth gender by Monday.
