The majority of the city council has pledged to support the new ordinance.
Pat McCrory, the Republican Governor for North Carolina, stated that Charlotte City Council would face “immediate state legislative intervention” if a bill allowing protections to the LGBT community passes.
The proposed ordinance would expand rights of transgender residents to use either the male or female restrooms and will allow legal protections for the LGBT community in public areas including bars, hotels, restaurants, and shops.
In an email, he is reported to have stated, “It is not only the citizens of Charlotte that will be impacted by changing basic restroom and locker room norms but also citizens from across our state and nation who visit and work in Charlotte.”
Calling upon scare tactics, McCrory also added, “This shift in policy could also create major public safety issues by putting citizens in possible danger from deviant actions by individuals taking improper advantage of a bad policy. Also, this action of allowing a person with male anatomy, for example, to use a female restroom or locker room will most likely cause immediate State legislative intervention which I would support as governor.”
Eight of the eleven council members have stated they will support the expanded ordinance. With this support, Democrat council member Al Austin, said he is not intimidated by the Governor’s threats to intervene.
He said “We are trying to show the world that Charlotte is an inclusive place.”