Winston-Salem City Council has passed a resolution opposing HB2. The measure was approved with a vote of six to one during a meeting on Monday.
The controversial law gained national attention for the bathroom provision. It requires transgender people to use a public bathroom or locker room that matches the sex on their birth certificate. HB2 also bans local governments from making their own anti-discrimination rules.
Winston-Salem city councilman Dan Besse says the resolution addresses a broad bill that could have unintended consequences.
“It particularly points to a number provisions that were inserted into the bill without a lot of public warning that have nothing to do with the infamous bathroom provision,” says Besse. “It will let our citizens know that we oppose discrimination and let people know who are thinking about doing business here that we are a welcoming community.”
The local measure has no legal weight. Winston-Salem joins Greensboro, Asheville, and several other cities across the state that oppose the new law.
Supporters say it creates privacy and safety protections for women and children.
Last week, Gov. McCrory announced some changes to the law. He broadened protections to include sexual orientation and gender identity for some state employees.
McCrory is also requesting the legislature repeal the provision that took away the right to sue over discrimination in state court. However, the governor and supporters of the law are standing firm on the bathroom provision.
The legislature will have an opportunity to weigh in – if it chooses to do so – in its upcoming short session. Lawmakers will convene in Raleigh April 25.
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