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As anti-trans legislation moves through the South with North Carolina and Mississippi enacting discriminatory laws and other states considering similar bills, there is a growing movement by Southern cities to reject radical anti-LGBT attacks and support transgender members of their communities.
This movement has taken the form of city resolutions against North Carolina’s HB2 and Mississippi’s HB1523. So far, the impressive list of cities that have adopted resolutions include Jackson and Biloxi in Mississippi and North Carolina cities Greensboro, Durham, Chapel Hill, Caroboro, Bunken County, Marion, and Asheville.
We’ve collected below some of the inspiring words shared by local leaders as their cities take a firm stand against the bigotry put forward by their legislature:
Asheville, North Carolina: “The Asheville City Council urges the North Carolina General Assembly to repeal House Bill 2 at the earliest opportunity. Meanwhile, Council will look to the court system for remedy, seeking opportunities to partner with other local jurisdictions and advocacy organizations in taking appropriate legal action against this unconstitutional legislation.” — Asheville City Council Resolution passed Tuesday, April 12
Durham, North Carolina: “If they talk to people who have faced this issue head on who understand that when you ask a transgender woman to go into a men’s bathroom, that is a form of harassment and discrimination and that’s not something that we’re going to stand for here in Durham.” — Durham City Council member Charlie Reece
Jackson, MS: “Regardless of what our Governor, our state agencies our legislature may have passed, the city of Jackson wants you here regardless of what color you are, regardless of your sexual orientation, regardless of what gender you are, we want you here in Jackson.” — Councilman Tyrone Hendrix, author of the Jackson City Council’s Resolution to Commitment to Diversity and Hospitality.
Greensboro, North Carolina: “HB2 does not reflect the goodness, the decency and the humanity of the people of North Carolina.” — Councilwoman Nancy Hoffmann.
Chapel Hill, North Carolina: “That long history that we have of being welcoming and inclusive is not going to change no matter what they pass at the state legislature.” — Chapel Hill Mayor Pam Hemminger
And this is just the start. More cities have indicated they also plan to pass resolutions, and other prominent Southerners, like North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper — who has said he will not defend the law in court — are speaking out as well. And through Southerners on New Ground, our joint TLC@SONG program, and other grassroots groups, Southerners are organizing actions demanding the repeal of these laws.
Southern cities are making it clear that, despite the actions of their state legislatures and governors, they value all members of their communities no matter sexual orientation or gender identity.
