N.C. Governor: Backlash to Anti-LGBT Bill Is "Political Correctness Run Amok"

After passing House Bill 2, North Carolina’s Republican governor, Pat McCrory, dismissed criticism of the legislation as “political correctness” in an interview with NBC News Monday night.

HB 2 has been called the “country’s most sweeping anti-LGBT bill,” one that effectively rescinds local nondiscrimination ordinances across the state that allow trans people equal access in public accommodations—including housing, employment, and city facilities. These protections would provide trans trans people affirming access to the public restroom that most closely corresponds with their gender identity.

Since HB 2 was signed into law last Wednesday evening, companies like PayPal, Apple, Bank of America, American Airlines, and Dow Chemical have all spoken out against the legislation. The National Basketball Association has stated that the bill may jeopardize North Carolina's opportunity to host the league’s all-star game in 2017.

In a sit down interview with NBC’s Janet Shamlian, McCrory argued that the backlash against HB 2 is unwarranted. “We are not taking away any rights,” he said. “We have the exact same rules and regulations [as] 25 other states in the United States of America.”

McCrory clarified that his state’s bill is different than Indiana’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which allowed businesses to discriminate against LGBT customers—and deny them service—based a business owner's personal religious beliefs. Indiana's RFRA was passed in March 2015. A corporate boycott cost the state an estimated $60 million, which forced Gov. Mike Pence to all but rescind it.

“[HB 2] had to do with… government overreach, enforcing businesses to allow men to be in women's or girls restrooms or shower facilities,” he said. “This is political correctness run amok.”

The legislation was pushed through by North Carolina’s state legislature in an “emergency session” to block the adoption of a Charlotte law passed by their city council in February. Set to take effect on April 1, the law would have extended the city’s existing nondiscrimination protections to its trans residents.

During the interview, Shamlian interjected in defense of the Charlotte ordinance. “Should we be politically correct for everyone?” she asked.

McCrory argues that isn’t necessary. “We are too much politically correct,” he responded. “We have this political correctness in our nation that's taking over common sense. … We all have to make adjustments in life. We've had these proper etiquette situations for decades in our country and all of a sudden—through political correctness—we're throwing away basic etiquette.”

He continues, “What if your daughter—or son—were showering and a man walks into the room and says, ‘This is what I am?’”

Despite McCrory’s statement, there’s no evidence that transgender people pose a threat to the safety of others, including children, in public restrooms. Numerous independent studies have shown there’s not a single reported case of trans individuals attacking another person in a public facility.

Watch Pat McCrory's full interview with NBC below.