North Carolina Attorney General Won't Defend Transgender Law in Court

The Republican-led legislature and GOP Gov. Pat McCrory approved the law last week.

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) – North Carolina's attorney general says he won't defend in court a new state law preventing Charlotte and other local governments from approving protections for LGBT citizens at restaurants, hotels and stores.

Democrat Roy Cooper made the announcement Tuesday, a day after gay rights advocates sued the state to seek to overturn the law. The federal lawsuit lists Cooper among the defendants because of his official position, but he opposes the law and wants it repealed.

The Republican-led legislature and GOP Gov. Pat McCrory approved the law last week. They say Charlotte went too far with a local ordinance allowing transgender people to use the restroom of their preference. The law also addresses bathroom use in schools and state agencies.

Cooper is challenging McCrory for the position of governor this fall.