Gov. Jay Inslee reissues ban on non-essential state travel to NC

Gov. Jay Inslee issued a new memo to ban non-essential state-funded travel to North Carolina because he says that the state’s repeal of its so-called “bathroom bill” is still allowing discrimination against gay, lesbian or transgender people.

Inslee’s memo, signed Thursday, notes that governor’s original ban from 2016 expired following the repeal of a law that prohibited cities and counties from passing measures protecting people based on sexual orientation and gender identity when they use public accommodations. The law was spurred by a Charlotte ordinance that allowed transgender people to use the restroom that aligns with their gender identity.

Inslee says North Carolina’s replacement legislation continues to pre-empt nondiscriminatory ordinances passed by local governments and clarified that sexual orientation and identity are not protected classes.

In 2016, Inslee joined a group of government officials banning almost all official travel to North Carolina.

The travel ban is “consistent with our state’s approach to tolerance, fairness and a lack of discrimination,” Inslee said at the time. “And I do think these things — they’re mostly symbolic — but symbolism is important when it comes to ending discrimination in our country.”

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