Gov. McCrory issues executive order ‘improving’ aspects of HB2

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Gov. Pat McCrory signed an executive order Tuesday to “clarify” existing state law and asking the General Assembly to put back an old protection against discrimination. The order also provides “new protections,” according to McCrory’s press office.

According to a news release issued this afternoon, Executive Order 93 will protect the privacy and equality of all residents. The release said it will affirm parts of House Bill 2, which include the private sector’s right to establish bathroom policies and non-discrimination policies. McCrory said it also maintains common sense gender-specific restrooms and locker rooms in government buildings and schools.

What’s new in the order is the governor asking for new legislation to reinstate the right to sue in state court for discrimination. The executive order will also expand the state’s employment policy for employees to cover sexual orientation and gender identity.

Click here to see Executive Order 93

“After listening to people’s feedback for the past several weeks on this issue, I have come to the conclusion that there is a great deal of misinformation, misinterpretation, confusion, a lot of passion and frankly, selective outrage and hypocrisy, especially against the great state of North Carolina,” McCrory said. “Based upon this feedback, I am taking action to affirm and improve the state’s commitment to privacy and equality.”

North Carolina is now one of 24 states that has protections for sexual orientation and gender identity for employees, the release said.

The ACLU of North Carolina, which is part of a lawsuit challenging HB2, issued a statement shortly after the executive order was released.

“Gov. McCrory’s actions today are a poor effort to save face after his sweeping attacks on the LGBT community, and they fall far short of correcting the damage done when he signed into law the harmful House Bill 2, which stigmatizes and mandates discrimination against gay and transgender people,” ACLU of NC Acting Executive Director Sarah Preston said. “With this executive order, LGBT individuals still lack legal protections from discrimination, and transgender people are still explicitly targeted by being forced to use the wrong restroom.”