North Carolina has a hodge-podge system of discriminatory laws and ordinances even though it has backed off from the worst days of HB-2, which was a backlash against a local Charlotte ordinance several years ago. That legislation also created an economic backlash that caused the North Carolina General Assembly to modify it to a less discriminatory transgender requirement. We still do not have a state law that protects employees in the private sector from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, but employees of state and local government are protected. Ordinances in 15 local municipal and county government now offer various levels of protection.
The ordinances in Raleigh and Wake County offer protections against discrimination based on “sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression” as well as national origin and ancestry, color, ethnicity, religious belief, disability and things like veteran status or the wearing of natural hair or hairstyles. The protections apply in places of public accommodation like restaurants and hotels as well as in employment.
State law continues to govern access to multiple occupancy restrooms, showers or changing facilities. They are not covered by any of the new local ordinances and religious organizations continue to be exempt. It does allow same-sex couples to marry, per a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court. It also allows anyone to adopt, but if the petitioner is unmarried, no other person may join.
The North Carolina General Assembly seems particularly concerned with transgender issues, including transgender people involved in sports activities. Some 48 transgender people of color have been murdered in the United States, including several in North Carolina. There is no protection from involuntary conversion therapy.
The election of a Democratic Governor with veto power tampered some of the enthusiasm of the General Assembly for discriminatory legislation since they also lost a veto-proof majority. The national movement reversing gains during the Obama Administration has played out differently among the states during the Trump Administration. The Biden Administration has appointed a significant number of high-level LGBTQ+ folks in the past year.
Although some North Carolina Representatives to the U.S. Congress have displayed offensive positions regarding LGBTQ+ issues, the leadership of the General Assembly appear to be more focused on continuing economic development than in pandering to the radical right. Apparently, they learned their lesson with HB2.
For a more detailed analysis see the Movement Advancement Project website at www.lgbtmap.org.