Today a key prong of the anti-LGBTQ #HB142 in North Carolina expires, clearing the way for cities and towns to pass LGBTQ-inclusive nondiscrimination ordinances! It’s time for us to speak out and work to pass protections at the local, state, and federal levels – because #NCisReady for LGBTQ protections!
Send a message to your elected officials urging them to take action: http://ncisready.org
With supermajority support for LGBTQ-inclusive nondiscrimination protections, #NCisReady to take action for equality. As we celebrate a step forward in NC with the sunset of a key prong of HB142, let’s commit to passing LGBTQ protections to send the message that everyone is welcome in North Carolina!
Learn more and take action: http://ncisready.org
Frequently Asked Questions
- What’s HB142?
- HB142 is a discriminatory law has two prongs: the first prong, which remains in effect, prohibits entities like local governments and school systems from passing policies regarding the use of multiple occupancy restrooms; the second prong – which sunsetted on December 1 – prohibits municipalities’ from passing non-discrimination ordinances to protect their LGBTQ residents
- With the state legislature blocking the passage of comprehensive nondiscrimination laws and even passing discriminatory measures like HB2 and HB142, cities and towns have long had the responsibility to look after their own residents – but HB142 denied us that right in North Carolina.
- What’s possible now that one prong of HB142 expired on December 1?
- Local governments will be able to enact nondiscrimination ordinances regulating private employment practices, including ordinances prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status and pregnancy.
- Local governments will be able to enact nondiscrimination ordinances regulating public accommodations, which include places like hotels, restaurants, hospitals, stores, movie theaters, amusement parks.
- But what about the first prong of HB142 that is still on the books?
- The first prong of HB142 continues to prevent local governments and other political entities from regulating multiple occupancy restrooms, even after December 1. To address this, HB142 needs to be fully repealed by the NCGA or found unconstitutional by the courts. We are calling for the full repeal of HB142 as soon as possible.
- Why do LGBTQ people need nondiscrimination protections even after June’s U.S. Supreme Court decision in Bostock v. Clayton County?
- The Supreme Court decision in June holding that discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and transgender status in employment is illegal sex discrimination is very important for LGBTQ workers.
- However, the decision does not reach small businesses, workers in the informal economy, and independent contractors. Local governments have an important role in enacting protections for those workers.
- The decision also does not explicitly or immediately protect LGBTQ people in housing, healthcare, or public accommodations.
- LGBTQ people need to be protected from discrimination in every area of life under local policies, state law and federal law.
