MAC Launches Trans 102 Series; NC Senate Moves $500k from Disaster Relief Fund to Defend HB2
Click to viewMAC's new Trans 102 series is an effort to raise awareness for trans issues. The first video features Jen Richards of I Am Cait fame alongside 40+ transgender and gender non-conforming individuals. The company is also raising a million dollars for organizations that benefit the trans community.
***
It’s official: #HB2 is a disaster! #NorthCarolina #ncga #ncpol https://t.co/zrg8x1NyB9
- Lambda Legal (@LambdaLegal) June 30, 2016
While the Senate has approved the shift in funds, it won't go through unless the House also approves it.
McCrory and his Republican cronies have proposed changes to HB2 that would include some sort of bullshit certificate of sexual reassignment for those born in the four states that do not change birth certificates even if you've gone through gender affirmation surgery. But many trans folks who can't afford surgery or simply do not want surgery would still have to use bathrooms that don't match their gender identity. The unemployment rate for trans folks is more than double that of the general population and they're more likely to experience on-the-job discrimination or hiring bias. SO, since the state does not extend non-discrimination rights to the transgender community and stripped the few counties and towns that DID offer protections based on gender identity, employers basically have the government's approval to actively discriminate against trans employees and applicants.
Another proposed change would reinstate people's right to sue employers for discrimination in state. But as I stated above, the state still would not extend protections LGBTQ citizens and local non-discrimination ordinances are still invalidated.
There's also no talk at all about removing the ban on municipal minimum wage increases. Greensboro had voted to raise the minimum wage to $10.10, which is a little closer to a living wage. HB2 mandates that no town shall increase the minimum wage above the state wage, which is $7.25. A poverty wage in North Carolina for 1 adult and 1 child is $7.00.
The reason they're proposing changes at all is because they're scared they're going to lose the NBA All-Stars game. However, the league and the Charlotte Hornets issued a joint statement expressing doubt that the changes don't go far enough.
Source 1
Source 2