Gordon Friedman

Statesman Journal

Gov. Kate Brown has condemned sweeping "religious freedom" laws recently signed by the governors of Mississippi and North Carolina, but decided against banning official travel to those states as a sign of protest, unlike some other governors, mayors and city councils.

North Carolina's law repeals most of the state's local ordinances protecting gay people from discrimination and forces transgender people to use bathrooms aligning with their biological sex rather than their gender identity. Mississippi's law allows religious groups, government employees and some businesses to refuse service to gay people based on their religious beliefs.

Kristen Grainger, Brown's lead spokeswoman, said last week the governor's office is considering a nonessential travel ban for state employees, but doesn't want to prevent Oregon from conducting necessary state business like extraditions or transporting foster children.

"These kinds of bans are complicated and have far-reaching impacts," Melissa Navas, one of Brown's press secretaries, said by email. "As a steward of state resources, she felt that speaking out was the best way to support equality."

Brown, who is bisexual, has released statements decrying the laws. After North Carolina's law was signed by Republican Gov. Pat McCrory, Brown said she was "appalled" at the legislation which "promotes hate and discrimination."

She released another statement Tuesday. "I say, enough is enough," Brown said. "We must remember that we are our strongest and accomplish more when we stand together." She said Oregonians should "stand up to hate."

States, cities and businesses around the nation have also protested the laws.

Internet payment processor PayPal pulled out from opening its global headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina — a loss of 400 jobs for the area. Tech giants Google, Apple, Facebook and IBM also condemned the legislation, and the NBA said it may impact the 2017 All-Star Game planned for Charlotte.

The Portland City Council passed an ordinance March 30 temporarily banning employees from traveling to North Carolina on city business. Washington, Vermont, New York, Minnesota, San Francisco, Seattle, Atlanta and New York City have enacted their own travel bans.

gfriedman2@statesmanjournal.com, 503-399-6653. Follow Gordon on Twitter@GordonRFriedman or like him on Facebook atFacebook.com/GordonRFriedman

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