Palm Springs leaders, LGBT activists weigh in on new North Carolina law
Throughout his time in the Coachella Valley, Richard Noble said he’s been full of pride, even marching across the country to raise awareness for LGBT rights.
It’s my lifeblood,” Noble said. “Being a gay rights activist is what I’ve been for over 25 years. The protections and equality of my people are what I live for.”
But Noble and others say they’ve been raising awareness about another issue.
Earlier this week, the state of North Carolina passed a new law known as the “transgender bathroom bill,” which doesn’t allow cities and counties in the state to pass measures protecting people based on sexual orientation and gender identity when using public accomodations, like restrooms.
The law comes after city leaders in Charlotte passed an ordinance allowing transgender people to use public restrooms matching their gender identity.
While many states and cities have imposed a ban of almost all travel to North Carolina, Palm Springs Mayor Robert Moon said he’s personally in favor of a similar decision.
“I think it’s outrageous that this is going on, and I think we need to express our displeasure and disagreement with this type of government-sponsored discrimination,” Moon said.
With the new law gaining national attention, both Moon and Noble said they’re all for equality.
“It’s time to really fight back. Enough is enough,” Noble said. “We deserve equal rights and equal treatment under the law, and we will fight every day until we achieve that goal.”
“I think the fact that a state would actually restrict their cities and local jurisdictions from enacting anti-discrimination laws, that would be appropriate for their cities, is just absolutely inconceivable to us here in California.”
Moon said he’ll meet with city council members next week to talk about the idea of a possible travel ban to North Carolina.
Noble said organizations including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) intend to file a federal lawsuit against North Carolina, calling the new law unconstitutional.
If you’d like to weigh in on whether Palm Springs should join in the travel ban to North Carolina, feel free to answer the poll question below.
38773428