NC Governor Vows Executive Order To Expand LGBT Protections

Raleigh, NC — NC Governor Roy Cooper says he’ll act on his own to improve protections for the state’s LGBT residents after compromising with Republicans on a partial repeal of a state law limiting anti-discrimination rights.

Cooper said Tuesday (May 16) he will do it soon by issuing an executive order. His spokesmen did not respond when asked to explain the governor’s plans.

Cooper’s order would cover the state agencies he controls, but legislators also could override him. The GOP-controlled legislature didn’t do that when Republican Gov. Pat McCrory ordered state employees protected from gender and sexual orientation discrimination a month after House Bill 2 passed.

Cooper’s comments come after LGBT rights advocates denounced him for compromising with Republicans on HB2’s partial repeal, which still allows sexual identity and gender discrimination.

NC Gov. Roy Cooper is visiting the nation’s capital to speak at a conference organized by a liberal advocacy group before huddling with the state’s congressional delegation to redouble efforts to obtain more federal Hurricane Matthew relief.

Cooper was set to give remarks Tuesday morning at the “Ideas Conference” by the Center for American Progress at a Washington hotel. The conference is bringing together Democratic governors, members of Congress and national activists.

source: www.ap.org