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North Carolina LGBT law fuels demonstrations for and against | North Carolina LGBT law fuels demonstrations for and against |
(about 5 hours later) | |
Thousands of activists gathered at the North Carolina legislature on Monday as it reconvened for the first time since enacting a law criticised as anti-gay. | |
Supporters and opponents of the bill held competing rallies outside the statehouse in Raleigh. | Supporters and opponents of the bill held competing rallies outside the statehouse in Raleigh. |
More than 50 critics of the legislation were arrested after entering and refusing to leave the building. | |
The controversial law invalidates local anti-discrimination measures that protected gay and transgender people. | |
It also requires people to use public toilets that correspond to the sex listed on their birth certificates. | It also requires people to use public toilets that correspond to the sex listed on their birth certificates. |
Major companies such as Bank of America and Apple have criticised the law. | Major companies such as Bank of America and Apple have criticised the law. |
Other companies including Pay Pal and Deutsche Bank vowed to curtail their businesses in the state because of it. | |
"It took great courage for them to establish this bill," Doug Woods, 82, a supporter told the Associated Press. "They need to stand firm." | "It took great courage for them to establish this bill," Doug Woods, 82, a supporter told the Associated Press. "They need to stand firm." |
Although the Republican-dominated legislature opposes overturning the law, Democratic state lawmakers have proposed repeal. | Although the Republican-dominated legislature opposes overturning the law, Democratic state lawmakers have proposed repeal. |
"It would not undo with the swipe of a pen the incredible damage that House Bill 2 has done to our economy," Democratic lawmaker Grier Martin said of a repeal. | "It would not undo with the swipe of a pen the incredible damage that House Bill 2 has done to our economy," Democratic lawmaker Grier Martin said of a repeal. |
"But it would stop the bleeding and put North Carolina back on the path of progress and moving forward." | "But it would stop the bleeding and put North Carolina back on the path of progress and moving forward." |
The legislators met for a brief session on Monday evening but soon adjourned, to the annoyance of critics of the bill. | |
Arrests were made as the protesters refused to leave the building when it closed for the night. | |
Shows cancelled | |
In response to the backlash, North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory has made small adjustments to the law, but he said restrictions on the use of public toilets would remain. | In response to the backlash, North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory has made small adjustments to the law, but he said restrictions on the use of public toilets would remain. |
Business groups and gay rights activists said Mr McCrory's adjustments were not enough. | Business groups and gay rights activists said Mr McCrory's adjustments were not enough. |
Also on Monday, pop singers Demi Lovato and Nick Jonas cancelled forthcoming shows to protest against the law, joining dozens of other entertainers including Bruce Springsteen and Pearl Jam. | Also on Monday, pop singers Demi Lovato and Nick Jonas cancelled forthcoming shows to protest against the law, joining dozens of other entertainers including Bruce Springsteen and Pearl Jam. |
Some supporters of the law said allowing transgender people to choose their restroom could lead to women and children being attacked. | Some supporters of the law said allowing transgender people to choose their restroom could lead to women and children being attacked. |
They said they feared that men could pose as transgender people and use legal protections as a cover. | They said they feared that men could pose as transgender people and use legal protections as a cover. |
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