The backlash North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory has received over a so-called bathroom bill is caused by "left-wing activist groups," the Republican said Monday.
McCrory told
NBC News the law — which requires transgender people to use public bathrooms matching the gender they were born with, not the gender they identify with — does not discriminate.
"This political correctness has gone amok," he said.
The law,
signed last week, trumps a local Charlotte ordinance that allowed transgender people to use public bathrooms that align with the gender they identify with. The backlash was fierce, with businesses and even the NBA calling foul, but McCrory said it's a political smear campaign.
"I empathize with these people who have some very unique needs. But at the same time it doesn't mean everyone else should have to compromise a well established etiquette of men in men's restrooms and showers and locker rooms," said McCrory, who is running for reelection.
"I have not had one company say they're moving out of North Carolina."
The governor said "left wing activist groups" are conducting a "political theater" by threatening businesses over the law.
Hollywood director Rob Reiner said last week he will not film any movies in North Carolina again.
"Until this hateful law is repealed and LGBT North Carolinians are treated with equal dignity they deserve, I will not film another production in North Carolina, and I encourage my colleagues in the entertainment industry to vow to do the same," Reiner
said in a statement via the Human Rights Campaign.
"Enough is enough."
© 2024 Newsmax. All rights reserved.