Top lawmaker: North Carolina rights law will stay in place

RALEIGH, N.C. -- A North Carolina legislative leader said Wednesday he doesn't see the need to repeal or revise a law that limits protections for the LGBT community.

At a news conference on the upcoming legislative session, state Senate leader Phil Berger referred to the law as "our common-sense bathroom safety bill" for its measures governing transgender bathroom access in many public buildings.

Gender identity and sexual orientation also are excluded from statewide workplace and public accommodation protections in the law, which triggered widespread criticism from equality advocates and business leaders nationwide.

But Berger, a Republican, said he doesn't think the law enacted in March needs to be altered when lawmakers return next week.

"I don't know that I would at any point be ready to say we are going to make any changes. I just don't see the need for it," he said.

Gov. Pat McCrory, also a Republican, has urged lawmakers to restore the ability to use state law to file workplace-discrimination lawsuits, which was disallowed by the legislation.

Asked several times for his response to McCrory's request, Berger said simply: "We will listen to the governor's proposal."

The law also requires transgender people to use bathrooms corresponding to the gender on their birth certificate in state government buildings as well as public schools and universities. Supporters say the law protects privacy and safety in public bathrooms.

Berger's remarks came a day after a federal appeals court sided with a transgender student who argued his Virginia school district violated federal education discrimination laws by forbidding him from using the boys' bathroom.

The appeals court's territory includes North Carolina.

The ruling threatens the provision of the North Carolina law concerning transgender bathroom access in public schools and universities.

"While the decision is troubling, it is not the last word on this issue," Berger said.

McCrory said he's seeking an evaluation from state lawyers whether public schools can continue to implement the law while the Virginia defendants decide whether to appeal.

Provisions of North Carolina law that fall outside the federal law known as Title IX -- such as those regarding discrimination in workplaces, hotels and restaurants -- wouldn't be directly affected by Tuesday's ruling, experts said.

Also this week, the British government issued a travel update advising LGBT citizens to pay special attention when traveling to North Carolina and Mississippi.

"The U.S. is an extremely diverse society, and attitudes towards LGBT people differ hugely across the country," said the advisory posted on a British government website Tuesday. "LGBT travellers may be affected by legislation passed recently in the states of North Carolina and Mississippi."