Business Community, LGBT Activists React to Possible HB2 Repeal

CHARLOTTE, NC — In a surprise move, Charlotte city council voted unanimously to repeal the non-discrimination ordinance, the first step toward repealing controversial House Bill Two.

“Our city will be better off without HB2,” said Mayor Jennifer Roberts.”This is a path forward.”

It’s an effort business managers hope will stop money from leaving the city.

“When you think about the lost hotel rooms nights, when you think about the empty seats in the restaurant,” said Fahrenheit General Manager Daniel Lydia, “To see that kind of fallout was pretty intense.”

Lydia says his company was planning to host events for the NBA All-Star Game when it left Charlotte due to HB2.

“We lost out on that,” said Lydia. “It was a significant chunk of change.”

Hoping, in part, to keep the economic impact contained, city council members repealed it’s non-discrimination ordinance under the condition that lawmakers will repeal HB2.

“This wasn’t going away on its own, and there certainly was a shared desire on everybody’s part to get us out of the situation that we’re in right now,” said Council Member Ed Driggs. “I think there was a lot of politics involved. People across the whole spectrum could feel that.”

With a new governor about to take office, Mayor Roberts hopes it’s a way toward equality and prosperity.

“With the work of our Governor-Elect, we are convinced that this is a path forward,” said Mayor Roberts.

Transgender activist erica starling says politics aside, business won’t return unless LGBT protections are once again extended in Charlotte.

“You can’t bargain with equal rights. You did, and now we’re going to fix it. Tthe state is going to fix it,” said Starling. “They’re going to have to include us. We’re tired of taking scraps.”