Gov. Dannel Malloy has signed an executive order banning state-funded travel to North Carolina in response to a controversial bill that some say discriminates against the LGBT community.
North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory, a Republican, signed a law on March 23 preventing local governments from protecting people on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity when they use public accommodations.
That bill bans transgender individuals from using public restrooms that do not correspond to their biological sex.
Malloy said the North Carolina “law is not just wrong, it poses a public safety risk to Connecticut residents traveling through North Carolina” and endangers the welfare “of all people visiting that state.”
“Nearly two decades ago, Connecticut was among the first states to pass a comprehensive anti-discrimination law concerning sexual orientation, and three years ago I proudly signed a law adding gender identity and expression to those statutes. We need to do what we can to stand up and act against laws that encourage – as a matter of public policy – discrimination and endangerment of our citizenry. It’s unacceptable, and Connecticut is acting,” Malloy said in a statement.
Malloy is also urging North Carolina businesses to move to Connecticut.
