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Apr 8, 2015

Attorney General Cooper: I'd Veto RFRA

Raleigh, N.C. (April 8, 2015) — North Carolina Attorney General and presumptive 2016 Democratic gubernatorial candidate Roy Cooper told the Associated Press on Wednesday he rejects a proposal allowing public officials to cite religion for declining to serve same-sex couples (Senate Bill 2) and would also veto a so-called "Religious Freedom Restoration Act" (or RFRA) bills circulating in the N.C. General Assembly that have been used in other states to allow public and private entities to discriminate agains LGBT citizens.

"There are laws in place that protect religious liberties," Cooper said. "We don't need these laws that hurt people and our economy."

The N.C. General Assembly is currently considering two RFRA bills (Senate Bill 550, House Bill 348) that would allow this exact type of discrimination. In the wake of backlash over similar bills in Indiana and Arkansas, N.C. Gov. Pat McCrory and N.C. House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Cleveland) have joined a chorus of state leaders who are questioning the need for such legislation. Gov. McCrory said he would not sign the legislation, but has not said whether he would veto it.

Equality NC's Chris Sgro immediately applauded the Attorney General's comments, calling them "precisely the type of leadership we'll need to not only push back against anti-LGBT forces of discrimination."

"We applaud Attorney General Roy Cooper's willingness to once again stand on the side of equality by rejecting proposed legislation that could be used to discriminate against LGBT North Carolinians," said Sgro. "His prominent voice in opposition to these laws, as well as the overwhelming outcry of support we've seen from businesses, faith leaders, other elected officials, and the majority of North Carolinians, is precisely the type of leadership we'll need to not only push back against anti-LGBT forces of discrimination over the coming days, weeks, months and years, but also to finally pass truly comprehensive laws that protect LGBT people--in North Carolina and beyond."

CLICK HERE to encourage your legislators to oppose HB348/SB550 >>

CLICK HERE to encourage Gov. McCrory to veto HB348/SB550 >>

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