Rep. Meyer on HB2: 'What a horrible way to treat our own people'

Representative Graig Meyer represents District 50 of the North Carolina General Assembly

Rep. Graig Meyer (D, Orange-Durham)

Wednesday’s special legislative session was probably my most difficult day in office. I’m still angry and upset that North Carolina is yet again hurting people that I love.

It’s now legal for businesses that provide public accommodation to post signs that say “no gays allowed.” Or “no veterans.” Or “no pregnant women.”

Because, cities and counties are prohibited from writing non-discrimination ordinances that go beyond the state law.

Orange County’s long standing non-discrimination law that protected people based on veteran status and family status is now invalid.

What happens if you get fired for being Muslim or Christian or any other religion? Or for being female or male?

You now have no recourse for action for petitioning our state courts. You now have to go through the more expensive and laborious federal court system. We join Mississippi as the only two states without state law provisions that protect private sector workers from employment discrimination.

Local governments are barred from raising the minimum wage in their communities. We risk losing over $400 million in federal Title IX funding if our non-discrimination statutes are found to be in violation of federal law.

The tended and unintended consequences of this bill are staggering. The bill is about so much more than the Republican story that fear-mongers base on stereotypes about transgender people. This may be the broadest discrimination bill passed anywhere in the country. It may be the most discriminatory bill in decades.

It was written behind closed doors by the Republican majority, made public at 10 AM Wednesday morning, and was law by 10 PM that night.

What a horrible way to treat our own people.

What a horrible way to govern.

I’m sorry, people. I wish I could’ve done better. I hope you’ll join me in changing this.

We must vote.

— Graig Meyer