Paul M. Smith, one of the attorneys for the plaintiffs, argued that a preliminary injunction is necessary because the law causes “irreparable” harm to transgender people. Joaquin Carcano, a transgender man who works at UNC Chapel Hill, has said in court papers that he has to use a special-service elevator so that he can have access to a single-occupancy restroom. That restroom is “tucked away in a cubby down a hallway in a part of the building used for housekeeping.”

Smith said the law would force transgender people to put their mental and physical health at risk, and there’s no evidence that the law actually would protect anyone.

“The idea that the law is going to help law-enforcement keep some creepy guy from going into a women’s bathroom and doing bad stuff is simply a fantasy,” he said.

An attorney for the UNC system wondered why he was even in court. Noel Francisco, the attorney, argued that Margaret Spellings, president of the UNC system, has said repeatedly that she doesn’t plan to enforce the law.