Pat McCrory's unwavering support of House Bill 2, which targets which public restrooms transgender people can use, has turned some of his friends against him, the North Carolina governor says.
BuzzFeed News reports that in a speech to the Family Research Council in Raleigh, McCrory said friends told him they couldn't support him out of fear they'll be attacked by Hillary Clinton.
"I've had at least five this week tell me that. Good friends. Very good friends. 'Pat, I love ya. I love ya man, we'll be friends for life. We just can't support you,'" McCrory said.
He said HB2, which forces transgender people to use the public bathroom corresponding with the gender on their birth certificate, has caused much hardship for he and his wife.
"It's almost like the George Orwell book '1984.' If you disagree with Big Brother or you go against the thought police, you will be purged. And you will disappear," he told the group.
"My wife, for example, in Charlotte — she primarily stays in Charlotte. She's been disinvited to charity events. Basically, they call her up and say, 'You better not come....''
McCrory adds he's been labelled a "bigot."
"I'm the farthest thing from a bigot. I love everyone and I'm going to treat everyone equally," he said.
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