North Carolina Writers Wish Gov. Pat McCrory A Very LGBT-Friendly Birthday

James Taylor and John Grisham helped finance an ad that skewers HB 2, the state's anti-LGBT law.
North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory (R) is facing a tight re-election race.
North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory (R) is facing a tight re-election race.
Ethan Hyman/Raleigh News & Observer/TNS via Getty Images

North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory (R) received a sharp, snarky birthday surprise in his local paper on Monday.

Writers for a Progressive North Carolina ― a group of authors, poets and songwriters ― purchased a full-page ad in Raleigh, North Carolina’s News & Observer, blasting the conservative governor for his anti-LGBT views, The Charlotte Observer reported.

The ad leads with the message “HB2 U, Pat” and features a thick slice of cake with rainbow-colored layers, referencing the law McCrory has become most famous for: HB 2, which bars cities and localities from enacting policies to further protect people from discrimination on the basis of their sexual orientation and gender identity. It also requires transgender people to use public restrooms and locker rooms that match the gender listed on their birth certificates.

Author John Grisham, who donated signed first editions of his books, and songwriter James Taylor, who donated a signed guitar, both helped fund the advertisement, which can be seen below.

This ad for Gov. Pat McCrory (R) urges North Carolina voters to "move in a more progressive direction" on Election Day.
This ad for Gov. Pat McCrory (R) urges North Carolina voters to "move in a more progressive direction" on Election Day.
Writers for a Progressive North Carolina

McCrory and North Carolina have faced significant backlash since the governor signed HB 2 in March. Entertainers have pulled shows, businesses have canceled plans to create jobs and the NBA pulled the 2017 All-Star Game from the state.

The Republican governor is locked in a tough re-election battle against his Democratic challenger, state Attorney General Roy Cooper. A HuffPost Pollster average of publicly available polling in the race shows Cooper with a slight lead.

HUFFPOST READERS: What’s happening in your state or district? The Huffington Post wants to know about all the campaign ads, mailers, robocalls, candidate appearances and other interesting campaign news happening by you. Email any tips, videos, audio files or photos to scoops@huffingtonpost.com.

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