Aldermen Call For NC To Repeal House Bill 2

The Carrboro Board of Aldermen spoke out against NC House Bill 2 in an emergency meeting Saturday afternoon.

“We want to be out front as a municipality, as a county, with our outrage at House Bill 2,” said mayor Lydia Lavelle. “And lead the way for other counties and municipalities to follow.”

The aldermen unanimously approved condemning the governor and every member of the state legislature that voted for House Bill 2.

They also unanimously passed a resolution that among other things, called for the General Assembly to repeal the bill.

Alderman Sammy Slade called the bill “hate legislation.”

The North Carolina General Assembly passed House Bill 2 Wednesday, which would prevent cities from passing laws allowing transgender people to use public restrooms for the gender they identify with.

“One of the most troubling parts of this legislation is the part that appears to make it impossible to bring civil action in North Carolina courts on the basis of racial discrimination,” alderman Damon Seils said. “And other categories, disability, age, sex, all of the ones we’re very familiar with.”

After passing both resolutions, the board opened the floor to public that wished to speak.

The crowd in the Carrboro Town Hall was brought to their feet when Amanda Ashley, a transgender woman and a former candidate for mayor of Carrboro, addressed the board.

“This Carrboro government is the best of us, it represents what North Carolina is and who we are,” she said. “As a person of color, as a U.S. veteran, as a trans-lesbian, I do not feel appreciated in this state. Much effort has gone into hate. Words, resolutions and votes are simply not enough.

A number of local politicians were also in attendance, including five members of the Chapel Hill Town Council, three members of the Board of County Commissioners, as well as state legislators Valerie Foushee, Mike Woodward and Graig Meyer.

“This is not about bathrooms,” Chapel Hill councilwoman Jessica Anderson said. “But if we are using bathrooms as a metaphor for this, I will go with you. I know there are other straight white folks who will go with you and as a soon-to-be mother of two, I’m very comfortable with my children being in the bathroom with anybody, except anybody who voted for this bill.”

Commissioner Penny Rich also said the county would be working to provide more inclusive spaces for residents.

“Before this all started (the commissioners) started looking into having gender-neutral bathrooms in all of the county buildings,” Rich said. “I know this is not about bathrooms but that’s where it started so we’re going to fix that.”

She said only two buildings in the county would need to be retrofitted to accommodate these changes.

The Chapel Hill Town Council will be meeting on Monday to pass a similar resolution.

Rich said the county would be joining in any lawsuit filed against House Bill 2.

Aldermen Call For NC To Repeal House Bill 2

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