Chapel Hill Joins Fight Against House Bill 2

Following Carrboro’s lead, the Chapel Hill Town Council unanimously approved a resolution calling for the repeal of House Bill 2 in an emergency meeting Monday night.

They also passed a second resolution condemning governor Pat McCrory and every representative that voted for the bill.

“We are going to be the same community we have always been,” said mayor Pam Hemminger. “We have the core values that we have. Of being supportive and inclusive and welcoming and we’re going to continue that.”

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

The law also has implications for local minimum wage laws and issues of discrimination.

The argument made by many voting for the bill that this was done to protect women and children from sexual predators, something councilwoman Donna Bell took issue with.

“As a woman, I do not need to be protected,” she said. “Just like I didn’t need my reproductive rights protected by the state of North Carolina. As a mother, I do not need the state to protect my child. That is the responsibility of me as a parent to make sure of the safety of my child.”

Facts And Myths (That McCrory Forgot) About House Bill 2

After passing the first resolution, the council opened the floor to public comment. Michelle Doss was one of three people who said they identified as transgender to address the council.

“This was going to be my month to come out completely, even though I’ve been a woman for two and a half years legally,” she said. “I was going to come out because things were better after Charlotte. I was like ‘this is my time to be okay and feel a citizen’ but it looks like I’m coming out now because things are getting worse.”

Doss said she is from Hillsborough and frequently visits Chapel Hill. She said she has used women’s restrooms in public and has never had an issue.

“For me to go in the men’s bathroom is not a good idea,” she said. “There’s a lot of hatred out there and anger and I think I deserve better.”

A copy of the resolution will be sent to a number of officials, including McCrory and speaker Tim Moore.

The Town will also look into the possibility of joining any lawsuit brought against the bill and will raise the rainbow flag Tuesday to show support for the LGBTQ community.

Chapel Hill Joins Fight Against House Bill 2

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