‘Bathroom bill’ pullback drawing mixed reviews, may not help state

Tense negotiations RALEIGH, N.C. — over a deal to undo North Carolina’s “bathroom bill” gave way Friday to uncertainty.

Will the compromise Gov. Roy Cooper signed Thursday quash the furor that made businesses, sporting events, conventions and entertainers pull out of the state in a yearlong economic backlash?

State Democratic and Republican leaders say their compromise will restore North Carolina’s reputation as a welcoming place to do business, and some business leaders applauded the deal. Others were doubtful. Some entertainment industry leaders were scornful, and LGBT advocates expressed outrage.

House Bill 142, titled “AN ACT TO RESET” the law created by House Bill 2, is not, critics say, a true repeal.

It still exposes gay and transgender people to discrimination whenever they go to a hotel, restaurant, locker room or bathroom, rights advocates say.

HB142 has now eliminated HB2’s requirement that transgender people use restrooms corresponding to the sex on their birth certificates in many public buildings. But the new law also makes clear that only state legislators — not local government or school officials — can make rules for public restrooms.

HB2 also invalidated any local ordinances protecting gay or transgender people from discrimination in the workplace or in public accommodations.

The ACLU said it’s continuing its legal battle on behalf of transgender residents.

The stakes are high. An Associated Press analysis this week found that House Bill 2 would cost the state more than $3.76 billion in lost business over a dozen years.

The response to the “reset” from business leaders was mixed, despite an optimistic tone struck by Cooper.

“As a national agency with a global creative reputation, our success depends upon attracting the very best talent and clients to Durham. This new bill continues to stand in the way of that,” said Brad Brinegar, CEO of ad agency McKinney.