RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) – The Latest on North Carolina lawmakers returning to work to address Charlotte’s ordinance that lets transgender people choose men’s and women’s bathrooms according to the gender they identify with (all times local):
1:40 p.m.
Legislators are hearing from North Carolina residents supporting and opposing a state law aimed at halting Charlotte’s new ordinance that lets transgender people use the bathroom aligned with their gender identity.
Sixteen-year-old Chloe Jefferson of Greenville said Wednesday if Charlotte’s model was copied by other North Carolina cities, she wouldn’t feel safe using public bathrooms. She says changing clothes in front of other teenage girls is intimidating enough, but having a student who is biologically a boy in a school locker room would be worse.
She spoke in a committee meeting along with software engineer Madeline Goss of Raleigh. Gross says she was bullied while growing up in Hickory, and a lot of that happened in the men’s bathroom. She says the men’s room is unsafe for transgender people like her, and she’s not going to go back.
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10:50 a.m.
The North Carolina legislature has reconvened to consider halting Charlotte’s new ordinance that lets transgender people use the bathroom that aligns with their gender identity.
The General Assembly also will consider preventing other cities or counties from passing similar rules in the future, which could roll back a success for the LGBT movement.
The House and Senate gaveled in Wednesday morning. Lawmakers brought themselves back to work a month earlier than scheduled to act before Charlotte’s ordinance begins April 1.
The Republican-controlled Legislature is taking up legislation to direct all public schools, government agencies and University of North Carolina and community college campuses to require bathrooms or locker rooms be designated for use only by people based on their biological sex.
The bill also prevents local governments from passing ordinances that prohibit discrimination beyond a state standard based on race, religion, color, national origin and biological sex.
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4:30 a.m.
North Carolina lawmakers are heading back to work to consider halting Charlotte’s new nondiscrimination ordinance before it takes effect April 1.
Republican General Assembly leaders scheduled a one-day special session Wednesday after enough lawmakers requested to reconvene now instead of waiting until late April. They’re responding to worries from constituents and conservative activists about provisions related to transgender people and restrooms.
Proposed legislation is expected to go beyond pre-empting Charlotte’s ordinance by stopping other towns, cities and counties from passing their own nondiscrimination rules based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Gay-rights groups say the repeal effort is wrong and would deny gays and lesbians, bisexual and transgender people essential protections at public accommodations like hotels and restaurants.
Any legislation would go to North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory’s desk.