LGBT-rights debate rages across South

Associated Press

COLUMBIA, S.C.

Louisiana’s governor issued an executive order Wednesday banning discrimination in state government based on sexual orientation and gender identity, and transgender people in South Carolina told state senators that a bill requiring them to use a public bathroom corresponding to their “biological sex” puts them in danger of harassment.

The overwhelming majority of people at the Senate hearing opposed the measure, which mimics part of a North Carolina law signed last month that has brought a national backlash. No vote was taken.

In Tennessee, 60 business leaders – including the CEOs of Williams-Sonoma, Airbnb, Alcoa, T-Mobile and Dow Chemical – signed a letter asking lawmakers to kill similar legislation. The events seemed to unfold across the South almost simultaneously as the fight over LGBT rights raged on.

The South Carolina bill introduced by Sen. Lee Bright would require multistall bathrooms on public property to be designated and used “based on biological sex.” It specifically includes student bathrooms, locker rooms and showers in public schools. It also would bar local governments from requiring businesses to let transgender people use the bathroom of their choice.

Bright said he’s had enough of tolerance if that means “men who claim to be women” going into a bathroom with children.

“I don’t believe transgender people are pedophiles,” the Republican said. “I think grown adult men would use this as protection to violate women in the restroom.”

U.S. Attorney Bill Nettles, who was invited to the hearing to discuss instances in South Carolina of transgender people verbally or physically assaulting someone, had a simple answer: “I can find none.”

In Louisiana, the LGBT protection order signed by Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards prohibits state agencies, boards and contractors from harassment or discrimination based on race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, political affiliation, disability or age. State contracts will be required to include a similar anti-discrimination provision.