US

North Carolina business leaders urge repeal of transgender law

State is first to make transgender people use public restrooms that match gender at birth

Opponents of a new state law that restricts transgender bathroom use and pre-empts local governments from creating their own anti-discrimination policies at a counter-rally across the street from a rally for proponents of the new law, outside the the North Carolina State Capitol in Raleigh earlier this month. File photograph: Ray Whitehouse/New York Times
Opponents of a new state law that restricts transgender bathroom use and pre-empts local governments from creating their own anti-discrimination policies at a counter-rally across the street from a rally for proponents of the new law, outside the the North Carolina State Capitol in Raleigh earlier this month. File photograph: Ray Whitehouse/New York Times
Tue Apr 19 2016 - 21:30

North Carolina business leaders on Tuesday called for a repeal of a new state law they blamed for mounting economic losses as opponents of the legislation cancelled events claiming it discriminates against gay and transgender people.

The state last month became the first in the US to require transgender people to use restrooms and locker rooms in schools and other public facilities that match their sex at birth, rather than their gender identity.

The Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce said the law, which also prohibits local governments from enacting anti-discrimination protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity, had hurt business growth and the state's reputation.

“This legislation is bad for business and bad for North Carolina,” the chamber said in a statement.

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The group had estimated tens of millions of dollars in losses since the law was passed, including decisions by PayPal Holdings and Deutsche Bank to halt the addition of a combined 650 jobs in the state and cancelled performances by top-flight artists Bruce Springsteen, Ringo Starr, Pearl Jam, Boston and Cirque du Soleil.

Plans cancelled

An unnamed technology company cancelled expansion plans that could have brought up to 1,000 new jobs to the Raleigh area and several other companies had eliminated the region from consideration due to the law, the chamber said.

North Carolina Republicans struck a defiant tone.

The law’s backers say it is meant to protect privacy rights and keep children and women safe from sexual predators, and so far have shown no signs of being swayed by the growing pressure from the business and entertainment communities.

"North Carolina will never put a price tag on the value of our children," Republican lieutenant governor Dan Forest told Reuters in an email on Tuesday.

“They are precious and priceless. If a corporation wanting to do business in North Carolina does not see the worth of our children in the same light, then I wish them well as they do business somewhere else.”

Reuters