Judge to combine N. Carolina GOP leaders’ LGBT law cases

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) – A federal judge has agreed to combine two lawsuits filed by North Carolina Republican leaders who are seeking to defend a law that limits protections for the LGBT community.

Judge Terrence Boyle ruled on Monday to allow the consolidation of separate cases filed by Gov. Pat McCrory and two legislative leaders, Senate leader Phil Berger and House Speaker Tim Moore. All three are Republicans.

The two lawsuits against the Department of Justice argue the federal government overreached when it declared the state law was discriminatory. Berger and Moore had asked to have their case combined with McCrory’s.

Last week, Boyle denied a separate request by McCrory to move his case to another federal court in the state where two other lawsuits challenging the law were filed.

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