North Carolina files a lawsuit against Justice Department over HB2

The federal government issued North Carolina a deadline of Monday, May 9th, to address its stance on House Bill No. 2, more commonly known as HB2, which requires individuals to use public bathrooms that correspond with their biological sex rather than their gender identity.

North Carolina filed a lawsuit against the Justice Department on the day they were due to respond.

“The overwhelming weight of legal authority recognizes that transgender status is not a protected class under Title VII,” according to the lawsuit.

Public institutions, like the University of North Carolina, are required to abide by the state legislation. Students and faculty members from schools across the state are banding together against HB2.

“We deplore in the strongest possible terms the new state law, HB2, that prevents municipalities from establishing laws that protect members of the LGBTQ+ community and others from discrimination and eliminates some economic advancement opportunities for underrepresented communities,” said Duke President Richard Brodhead in a statement.

Wake Forest University President Hatch also issued a statement. He said: “The operations of private institutions, like Wake Forest, are not directly affected by this legislation,” adding “our non-discrimination statement provides protection for gender identity and sexual orientation.

“However, there is no doubting HB2’s negative impact on members of our university community and the greater Winston-Salem and North Carolina community; on our institution, as we seek to recruit, retain and welcome students, faculty, staff and visitors; and on our society, as it works to appreciate differences in an increasingly polarized culture.”

Wake Forest faculty also successfully voted on a resolution against HB2.

With prospective students and faculty avoiding the state due to HB2, institutions like Duke, Wake Forest and UNC are not only suffering economically, but are also jeopardizing their international reputation as advocates of gender equality.