After two states passed anti LGBT laws in recent weeks, Gov. Jack Markell (D) is promoting transgender rights in a new video.
Released by National Center for Transgender Equality Friday, the video shows Markell calling out North Carolina and Mississippi lawmakers for crafting laws excluding segments of their population from certain aspects of public life.
Mississippi signed off on allowing business owners to reject service to LGBT people based on their religious beliefs, while North Carolina nixed any city or county-level anti-discrimination laws – mostly targeting one in Charlotte allowing transgender people to use public restrooms matching their gender identity.
“If transgender people can’t use the bathrooms that match who they are, it becomes much harder for them to go to work, school or out shopping for the goods and services we all need to live and thrive," Markell said.
He worked with the General Assembly to narrowly pass a bill adding gender identity to Delawares anti-discrimination law in 2013, protecting transgender people from abuse relating to education, health care, housing or workplace issues.
Opponents of Charlotte's ordinance cited fears that sexual predators would stalk women's restrooms for victims, claiming they were allowed to be there because of their gender identity, which also surfaced in Dover three years ago.
“As a governor of a state that allows transgender people to fully participate in society – including by using facilities in accordance with their gender identities – I know that we have not had any problems. The only outcome has been that transgender people know that Delaware is a safe and welcoming place," Markell said.
Despite his stance, a spokesperson for Markell says he won’t join other Democratic governors who have banned travel by public workers to those states.
At least four other states and a handful of cities have forbidden travel to those states, with online payment platform PayPal nixing plans to bring 400 jobs to North Carolina as well.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1T_tR1NBDg