by Aja vonHentschel
On March 23, 2016 Governor Pat McCrory of North Carolina signed a bill into effect known as the HB2 bill. This bill makes it so that everyone must used public restrooms based on the gender stated on their birth certificate. This developing issue has become very controversial due to the fact that there are many transgender people that have not made the full transition, and will therefore be forced to use bathrooms that do not correspond with their gender identity. There have been many protests which have ended in arrests in North Carolina, especially at the State House. Protesters refused to leave the building, even after it was closed for the evening, which resulted in the individual arrest of protesters.
On March 23, 2016 Governor Pat McCrory of North Carolina signed a bill into effect known as the HB2 bill. This bill makes it so that everyone must used public restrooms based on the gender stated on their birth certificate. This developing issue has become very controversial due to the fact that there are many transgender people that have not made the full transition, and will therefore be forced to use bathrooms that do not correspond with their gender identity. There have been many protests which have ended in arrests in North Carolina, especially at the State House. Protesters refused to leave the building, even after it was closed for the evening, which resulted in the individual arrest of protesters.
People opposing this bill say that it is discriminating and unconstitutional, denying someone rights to a bathroom that matches their identity. People who agree with the law are arguing that people could be sneaking into the bathrooms dressed as the opposite gender to get to small children, or even grown women. This issue has also brought out people arguing that transgender people are wrong in the eyes of the Bible.
The HB2 bill has caused national uproar. The chain Target added unisex bathrooms to many of their stores in response to the new bill, but groups backing the bill have been seen sending men into the women’s restroom in protest of Target’s stance on the issue. Many politicians have been discussing the law, including republican presidential candidate, Donald Trump. When asked about the bill, Trump said he did not believe North Carolina should have passed the law. Other candidates such as Ted Cruz said he backed the bill.