Faith Groups Are Rallying Against North Carolina’s Anti-Transgender Law

North Carolina’s controversial new anti-transgender law has triggered a cavalcade of criticism since it became law in March, with businesses, famous musicians, and even Donald Trump expressing disproval of legislation that forces schools and public buildings to discriminate against transgender individuals and their bathroom use. In addition to blasting the law itself, many have chastised its supporters, which include a number of right-wing conservative Christians and religious leaders such as Franklin Graham.

But as massive throngs of protesters descended on the North Carolina capitol building in Raleigh on Monday to call for the repeal of the bill often called HB2, scattered among the crowd were several signs reading “My faith doesn’t discriminate” and dozens of religious leaders bearing collars, stoles, and yarmulkes. Unlike their conservative counterparts, these prayerful North Carolinians weren’t there to preach theology that condemns transgender people, but to express faith-based opposition to a law they say is discriminatory — all while representing the state’s sizable, sustained pro-LGBT faith movement.