North Carolina legislators may repeal HB2, the trans bathroom law

Impact

After months of protests and boycotts against HB2, better known as North Carolina's "bathroom bill," state legislators may repeal the legislation in its entirety during a special session on Tuesday.

According to the Charlotte Observer, the Charlotte City Council called for the session in what the paper called a "surprise move" that has left incoming Gov. Roy Cooper feeling hopeful that he'll be able to toss out the bill his predecessor, Gov. Pat McCrory, signed into law in March. 

The legislation, which requires North Carolina residents to use the bathroom corresponding to their gender as assigned at birth and noted on their birth certificate rather than their gender identity, had been a direct affront to transgender rights and put the safety of trans and nonbinary people in jeopardy every day.

"I hope they will keep their word to me and with the help of Democrats in the legislature, HB2 will be repealed in full," Cooper said in a statement reported on by the Observer on Monday.

He continued, "Full repeal will help to bring jobs, sports and entertainment events back and will provide the opportunity for strong LGBT protections in our state."