Cuyahoga County is banning non-essential travel to North Carolina amid controversy over a new law that critics say discriminates against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish issued an executive order Wednesday, stating that no officer or employer can approve travel to the state.
North Carolina has come under heavy criticism since Gov. Pat McCrory signed the law, requiring transgender people to use public bathrooms that match the sex on their birth certificates. The law, passed in response to a Charlotte ordinance that offered protections to gay and transgender people, also excludes sexual orientation and gender identity from the state's anti-discrimination law and bars local governments from expanding anti-discrimination rules.
“A major pillar of this administration is fairness and equity for all persons. We deplore the radical action recently taken by the state government of North Carolina, and we will not support such action with our tax dollars,” said Budish. “Moreover, we invite those businesses that share our views, such as Pepsi, Hewlett-Packard, Google, Dow Chemical, IBM and Apple, to bring their business to a much more welcoming location, Cuyahoga County.”
Budish said the order will remain in effect until the act is repealed or amended.
