New York, Seattle, San Fran Ban Travel to North Carolina Over Anti-LGBT Law

Pro-LGBT corporations and government officials have turned their focus toward North Carolina and its' HB2 after Georgia's Governor Nathan Deal announced Monday that he would officially veto the state's impending anti-LGBT legislation. 

North Carolina's legislation would allow discrimination against LGBT individuals and ban trans individuals from using the bathroom associated with their gender identity. Google, Facebook, the NBA and the NCAA have all spoken out against the law that was created in response to the passing of a non-discrimination ordinance in Charlotte, N.C.

In response to the discriminatory law, Seattle's Mayor Ed Murray has banned official travel to the state.

“It is my hope for our nation that we do not allow issues of discrimination to divide us. Our union is only made stronger when all Americans are treated equitably."

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio have joined forces in their North Carolina boycott. In an official statement, the Governor banned nonessential travel to North Carolina.

"From Stonewall to marriage equality, our state has been a beacon of hope and equality for the LGBT community, and we will not stand idly by as misguided legislation replicates the discrimination of the past. As long as there is a law in North Carolina that creates the grounds for discrimination against LGBT people, I am barring non-essential state travel to that state."

These bans join a similar one invoked by San Francisco's Mayor Edwin Lee on March 25:

"I believe strongly that we should be adding more protections to prevent discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities in the United States, not taking them away."

The power of industry and government helped overturn Gerogia's anti-LGBT legislation. Hopefully, that same power will encourage North Corlina officials including Governor Pat McCrory to bring an end to the discrimination.