Democrats File Two New Bills to Repeal HB2

CHARLOTTE, NC– “The bottom line is HB2 needs to be repealed without delay,” said ACLU North Carolina Spokesman, Mike Mena.

And now there are plenty of options to do that. On February 1st State Senator Jeff Jackson filed a bill for straight repeal. Early Wednesday several democratic representatives added to that with House Bill 82. It includes a statewide non-discrimination law.

“It’s ugly, it’s painful, it damages families, it damages children and we can’t tolerate that, but when a government does it, it is unconscionable,” said Representative Deb Butler.

Later in the day…  Representative Cecil Brockman from Greensboro filed a third bill with repeal, a statewide non-discrimination law and added increased penalties for people who commit sexual assault in public facilities.

“I think this bill will allow my Republican colleagues to go home and to be able to say they are fighting for the folks that they say they are there to protect,” said Representative Cecil Brockman.

Brockman says he supports all the bills, he just added a compromise for the republicans.

“I actually think that’s a good thing. We’ve got a lot of options out there that I’m hoping that my Republican colleagues will, you know, use,” said Rep. Brockman.

ACLU North Carolina says House Bill 82 is the best package because it includes much-needed non-discrimination protection.

“To make sure gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender North Carolinians are protected under the law when it comes to things like housing, employment,” said Mena.