District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser has banned city employees from official travel to North Carolina, joining a growing list of governors and mayors who've forbidden trips to the state.
The move was made because of a law signed last week by Republican Gov. Pat McCrory that requires transgender people to use public restroom facilities that correspond with their gender at birth.
The law also excludes lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people from statewide protections against discrimination. The law is being challenged in federal court.
Gay rights leaders and transgender people said the legislation demonizes the community and espouses bogus claims about increasing the risk of sexual assaults. They say the bill will deny lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people essential protections needed to ensure they can get a hotel room, hail a taxi or dine at a restaurant without fear.
Bowser, a Democrat, signed an order on Thursday barring city employees from official travel to North Carolina until the law is repealed. Her order says the District government values "equal treatment for members of the LGBTQ communities.''
