Pat McCrory Says Expanding Charlotte’s Nondiscrimination Ordinance to LGBT People Would ‘Most Likely Cause Immediate State Legislative Intervention’

Republican North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory on Sunday warned the Charlotte City Council that plans to include basic protections in public accommodationsÂ laws for LGBT peopleÂ would â€œmost likely cause immediate state legislative intervention,â€ the Charlotte Observer is reporting.Â

â€œIt is not only the citizens of Charlotte that will be impacted by changing basic restroom and locker room norms but also citizens from across our state and nation who visit and work in Charlotte,â€ McCrory told two city council members, andÂ issuing a veiled attack on LGBT people.Â â€œThis shift in policy could also create major public safety issues by putting citizens in possible danger from deviant actions by individuals taking improper advantage of a bad policy.â€

McCrory, who is 59 and used to be the mayor of Charlotte, opposes the legislation, which is slated for a vote Monday evening at 6:00 PM. The ordinance would be expanded to allow transgender people to use the restroom that most closely conforms to their gender identity.

McCrory claimed “this action of allowing a person with male anatomy, for example, to use a female restroom or locker room will most likely cause immediate State legislative intervention which I would support as governor.”

Here’s part of Gov. Pat McCrory’s email to CLT City Council’s Ed Driggs on proposed non-discrimination ordinance. pic.twitter.com/FhzWgsvDKA â€” David Sentendrey (@DavidFox46) February 22, 2016

The expanded protections would not apply to employment, housing, credit, or educationÂ â€“ only to publicÂ accommodations, like restaurants and stores.

The Observer notes that “at least eight of 11 council members said they would support the expanded ordinance. Mayor Jennifer Roberts also supports it.”

Some responses via Twitter:

@PatMcCroryNC don’t worry, businesses in NC can still fire people for being gay and trans, so you’ve still got that feather in your cap. â€” Demos (@JRWolf) February 22, 2016

@Sharrison_Obs @theobserver @PatMcCroryNC our fair governor doing all he can to make NC a safe haven for ignorance and bigotry. #shameful â€” BK (@japhy) February 21, 2016

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Image byÂ NCDOTcommunicationsÂ via Flickr and a CC license