Charlotte leaders take new steps to repeal HB2

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Channel 9 has learned new steps Charlotte leaders are taking to have House Bill 2 repealed and bridge the divide with Raleigh.

HB2 requires people to use public restrooms in government and school buildings corresponding to the sex on their birth certificates and excludes sexual orientation and gender identity from statewide anti-discrimination protections.

Councilman Gregg Phipps said Wednesday that the failed HB2 compromise late last year delivered a blow to an already troubled relationship.

“It was at rock bottom before now. If there is such a thing as being below that that's where it is right now,” Phipps said. “We have to do something to try to bridge this divide.”

Some council members are working to do that.  They’re planning more road trips to Raleigh in order to talk to lawmakers face-to-face, build relationships and work on a new compromise.

They’ll start with the council retreat Jan. 25.  It was supposed to be in Charlotte, but was moved to Raleigh.

North Carolina state Rep. Rodney Moore was in Raleigh when that compromise fell apart last month.

Some lawmakers thought Charlotte was being underhanded when it only repealed a portion of its non-discrimination ordinance.

“As the day went by, trust fell apart,” Moore said.

He said he hopes another compromise can be reached and said council members should reach out to the legislative delegation as well as key GOP leaders in Raleigh.

Moore said they need to reinforce the economic impact of the law.

“From an economic standpoint we've lost too many opportunities,” Moore said.

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Cox Media Group