RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) – North Carolina filed a lawsuit Monday morning against the federal government over state’s LGBT law, known as HB2.
The U.S. Justice Department last week warned the new law violates civil rights protections against sex discrimination at work and in education for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.Web Extra: Read the full lawsuit filed by McCrory
The agency focused particularly on provisions requiring transgender people to use public restrooms matching their biological sex. The department says a lawsuit against the state is possible.
“The Obama administration is bypassing Congress by attempting to rewrite the law and set restroom policies for public and private employers across the country, not just North Carolina. This is now a national issue that applies to every state and it needs to be resolved at the federal level,” Gov. Pat McCrory said in a release on Monday. “They are now telling every government agency and every company that employs more than 15 people that men should be allowed to use a women’s locker room, restroom or shower facility.”
In his filing, McCrory cited the fact that he has directed state agencies to make a reasonable accommodation of a single occupancy restroom. The state also allows private companies to set their own policies for bathrooms, locker rooms and shower facilities.
“I’m taking this initiative to ensure that North Carolina continues to receive federal funding until the courts resolve this issue,” McCrory said in the release.
McCrory will provide an additional statement to the media at 1 p.m. on Monday.
