12/3 Letters: HB2 ‘repeal’ helped businesses, but not the LGBT community

Regarding “N.C. law replacing HB2 still discriminates, challengers say” (July 23): It has been roughly eight months since the North Carolina General Assembly passed House Bill 142, the so-called repeal of HB2. In doing so, the NCGA satisfied business concerns, but seemingly forgot to restore the human rights of the LGBTQ+ community.

In the months following the passage of HB2, businesses, artists and organizations, most notably the NCAA, placed enormous pressure on the state to repeal HB2 by moving projects and events to other states. The result was an economic incentive to repeal HB2, yet their actions simultaneously shifted the focus to the economic consequences HB2 instead of the effect on human rights. Due to the efforts of businesses, organizations, and other advocates, the NCGA passed HB142.

While anyone is now free to use the bathroom of their choice, state legislators still have control over policy regarding certain public bathrooms and local governments cannot change their anti-discrimination policies until 2020, as if they are simply postponing reinstating human rights. To put it plainly, the state prioritized protecting the business concerns of the state over human rights. Action must be taken to fully repeal HB2. It is up to Gov. Roy Cooper and the legislature to restore the human rights of all North Carolinians.

‘Speak the truth’

I grew up on a farm: hard work, no-nonsense, help your neighbor and speak truth. This maxim rang just as true when I was a boy laying fence with my neighbors as today working with North Carolinians with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families to build strong opportunities in local communities across the state. We put people first and work from Murphy to Manteo.

The Senate tax bill lacks that same straightforward compass. Not only is this legislation rushed, lacking due process and meaningful bipartisan input, but it does nothing to strengthen communities or people. Massive tax cuts for large corporations and the wealthiest Americans which would add $1.5 trillion to the deficit make no sense. Insult to injury is the intention to fill that gap by cutting programs and services that everyday people, like those with disabilities and their families, rely on to thrive in their communities.

In the spirit of esse quam videri, let’s speak truth. This a bad bill; it’s bad for the hard-working people of North Carolina and especially damaging to children and adults with disabilities.

Let women work

“Motherhood gap hurts women who want to work” (Nov. 26) on how opting to stay home with kids hurts women in the workforce was both well-done and important.

The Triangle is full of well-educated, skilled women whose ability to support their families and to improve our state are limited by short-sighted employers. One hopes that as more women like Ms. Carey speak out, more industries will embrace women who have so much to offer.

This story was originally published December 2, 2017 at 6:00 PM with the headline "12/3 Letters: HB2 ‘repeal’ helped businesses, but not the LGBT community."