ID Required To Use Bathrooms In North Carolina
On Wednesday, March 23, 2015, North Carolina Republican Governor Pat McCrory signed the “Public Facilities Privacy & Security Act” a law commonly referred to as the "Bathroom Law". Republican lawmakers in the state overwhelmingly support the law while Democrats oppose it. The stipulations (in the law) might make it mandatory for the state residents and visitors alike to carry at all time their birth certificates before being allowed access to bathrooms; according to the Public Facilities Privacy & Security Act, transgenders must use the bathroom which identify the gender unto which they were born, regardless what they wear, no matter what they look like, irrespective what sex they think they are.
Immediately after signing the law, protests across the state and throughout the country erupted and urged the governor to rescind the law. Not surprisingly, the governor has turned a deaf ear to the protesters' demands. Not for long it seems. Opponents of the law comprise those who are directly and immediately impacted: gays, lesbians, transgenders; supported by sports' celebrities, comedians, entertainers, actors all of whom have agreed to place a "financial embargo" on North Carolina.
Entertainment activities have been canceled, rescheduled or moved to venues in another state; tourists have booked tours and travel to other states; previously scheduled tours and travels in the state of North Carolina have been canceled. Even businesses with plans to open offices in the state of North Carolina have either postponed their plans or simply carry out their plans to a state nearby.
The "Bathroom Law" has become very expensive for the state of North Carolina. However, it's not clear whether the Governor would reverse course; for the past few weeks since he signed the law, he's been on tour, giving interviews to explain and justify the law.
Both supporters and opponents residing in the state have been shaking their heads in disbelief; the extreme radicals - those who self-identify as Christian Conservatives - believe the governor should not rescind the law no matter the cost to the state but the opponents see the outcome playing differently; they foresee the tourism and the entertainment businesses in the state suffer severely, thus forcing the governor to ultimately reverse course. It's worth noting however that time is critical; if the governor does not act swiftly, the damage done to those industries may be irreversible even if the law is rescinded.
Regardless the action of the governor, it's worth mentioning that the law has done more to create problems than to solve. Before the passing of the law, there was no specifics which would have required drawing a line in the sands between those who are or sympathize with
transgenders and those who oppose the lifestyle. The law has done much to create the divide which now exists in the state of North Carolina, a scar which may remain for quite a few generations to come.