Joan Monaghan Williams; Dear Mayor, yesterday I asked you one simple question and have not received an answer. Would you want your daughter having to change her clothes in the downtown gym with a naked man standing next to her?
A few of your council members have sent messages wanting to hear your answer to this question also as well as citizens of Greensboro.
Greta Anita Lint; Aren't you on the payroll for some LGBT organization?
March 24 at 11:11am
Nancy Barakat Vaughan; Yes, I am. The Guilford Green Foundation.
Instead of an answer from you, I received some nasty replies from members of your LBGT Group. I've been called a bitch, a bigot, a freak to mention a few. What has happened to our community. This group seems to spew hatred for anyone who is not a member.
Again, Mayor Vaughan, please answer this question for me and for the citizens of Greensboro. I hope I do not receive hate responses again, but if do, I will not respond to them.
How does the new legislation effect the LBGTQ community in Greensboro
and how can Nancy Vaughan respond as Greensboro's mayor
if she also is being paid to represent Greensboro's LBGTQ community?
Kathy Mooth Newsom; Joan, I know you've asked Nancy how she would feel but I'd like to interject here, because I have two daughters and I have concerns about their safety in public restrooms. My oldest daughter was male at birth and is transgender, my younger daughter was born female. You probably would never know the difference, they are both beautiful strong young women. Everyone who knows our family considers them both female. This law would mean that my oldest daughter would have to use a men's bathroom. Can you imagine how terrifying that would feel for a young woman? Especially in an environment as openly hostile to the transgender community as North Carolina is positioning itself to be? I hear what you are saying - you are concerned that someone's daughter could be exposed to something dangerous (in your scenario, a fake transgender person) without this law for protection. But there are laws about sexual predators that cover that. Transgender people are not predators and it breaks my heart that some people in this state are so callously acting as if they are. In many cases they are victimized because people spread fear based rumors out of ignorance. Maybe this isn't a situation you have considered, but I hope it gives you pause when supporting this type of legislation. Thanks for your time.
23 · March 24 at 5:37pm
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Ed Catalano; I don't think that anyone should be picked on or made feel uncomfortable, on both sides of this issue. And you're right that transgender people, for the most part, are not predators any more than gays. Having said that, I think some people would use the laws like Charlotte to gain access to areas that they wouldn't normally be a blessing to understand normal circumstances. Basically, the way I understand it, it would allow anyone that claims to identify him/herself to gain access to the opposite gender facilities. You can't arrest people for looking or for doing the same activity that others are doing in said areas like open dressing/shower rooms.
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Samuel Spagnola; How terrifying must it be for young biological females to have to allow men in to their bathroom? Under the Charlotte ordinance there would be no way to prevent this without violating the equal protection rights of non-transgendered males. We reap what we sow.
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Joan Monaghan Williams; Nancy Barakat Vaughan, you quoted all these cities but you never answered my original question. Would you want your daughter changing clothes in the downtown YMCA standing next to a naked man. I really want to hear your answer to this question. Thanks for your time. I do think you are a good Mayor but this situation is a concern for the citizens of your city.
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Mary Lou Clapp; Joan. The problem is, how many other things will be voted down. We are on a slippery slope. This happened in Germany. Everyone liked all of the things Hitler spewed. Little did they know, they would be next. Too much power is bad no matter how you slice it. This is America. I see doors where both men and women use one bathroom. Does that mean they need to change that concept. I don't think so. I have been in rest rooms and see people I couldn't tell what they were. They shut the door and used the bathroom and i did the same. Who am I to Judge. Do like we use to have to do, use the bathroom before you left home so you wouldn't have a problem using a nasty bathroom in the basement.
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Gail Barger; Almost every country I have ever visited has unisex bathrooms. This hubris would be silly if it weren't so wrong. VOTE!!!!!!
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Carol R Zealy; Joan, do you ever use the men's room because the line is too long at the clubs at OD? If you do that at Thirsty's now you are breaking the law when you are simply trying to go to the bathroom. This is a Trojan Horse that will become our States nightmare in more ways than bathroom rights. If you read Title IX this is a direct violation of Federal law and we could lose millions in educational funding to schools that have already dropped to 42 in the nation under this administration.This is my transgendered child. Since transition isn't finished birth certificate still says male and NO I DO NOT WANT HER IN THE MENS ROOM BECAUSE OF THAT. She has been a woman since 1998 and if your daughter or Nancy's were in the restroom with her she would be in her locked stall going to the bathroom just as they would. That's why it's a stupid question the mayor shouldn't dignify with a response. The media and elected officials have made this into something it isn't and just like Gay marriage this will be overturned but the damage is done. NC looks beyond ignorant once again making laws in direct violation to Federal law regarding equal rights and protection under title 9 by the schools.
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Democrat Ayes: Representative(s): Brisson; C. Graham; Floyd; G. Graham; Goodman; Hunter; L. Bell; Pierce; Salmon; W. Richardson; Wray
Republican Ayes: Representative(s): Adams; Arp; Avila; Bishop; Blackwell; Blust; Boles; Bradford; Brawley; Brody; Bryan; Bumgardner; Burr; Catlin; Cleveland; Collins; Conrad; Daughtry; Davis; Dixon; Dobson; Dollar; Elmore; Faircloth; Ford; Fraley; Hager; Hardister; Hastings; Horn; Howard; Hurley; Iler; J. Bell; Jones; Jordan; K. Hall; L. Johnson; Lambeth; Langdon; Lewis; Malone; McElraft; McNeill; Millis; Murphy; Pittman; Presnell; R. Brown; R. Turner; Riddell; Robinson; Ross; S. Martin; Saine; Schaffer; Setzer; Shepard; Speciale; Stam; Steinburg; Stevens; Szoka; T. Moore (SPEAKER); Torbett; Warren; Watford; West; Whitmire; Yarborough; Zachary
Noes: Representative(s): Ager; Alexander; B. Richardson; B. Turner; Baskerville; Brockman; Cotham; Cunningham; D. Hall; Farmer-Butterfield; G. Martin; Gill; Hamilton; Hanes; Harrison; Holley; Insko; Jackson; L. Hall; Lucas; Meyer; Michaux; R. Moore; Reives;
http://www.ncleg.net/gascripts/voteHistory/RollCallVoteTranscript.pl?sSession=2015E2&sChamber=H&RCS=9
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Dale Edwards; Joan Monaghan Williams I read a list police reports in areas with gender - open facilities. None of those reports -- they were police reports with quotes from actual police -- indicated any rise in the number of predator - related activities.
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Ray Miles Rimmer; I think the NCGA just used a "social" issue as cover for a more "important" (to the 1% and near them) crowd, that latter issue being for this "Right To Work (for pennies) State" to prohibit muni's or counties from exceeding the measly fed min wage of $7.35. This potty talk matters not a whit to those with 500 fast food franchises in N.C. And the slimy way this was handled, with all this focus on one city's bathrooms turns the heat away from greedy business people who are making profits now, but are too stingy to pay their workers a living wage. These same so-called conservatives know that Uncle Sugar gives those workers food stamps to cover the difference. But let's "blame Obama" for that. The Great CLT Potty Caper was just a cover.
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Samuel Spagnola If you believe in equal protection and support the Charlotte ordinance then you must necessarily support the right of heterosexual males to use the ladies room. Otherwise you are discriminating against them on the basis of sexual orientation. There is no way around that. Be careful what you ask for. The law can and will be used as a sword and a shield.
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Nancy Barakat Vaughan; Strawman
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Evan Olson; If the "Bathroom" law was the only thing in the bill, I could understand your argument; however, the state legislature used that title to hide the other parts that now allow any business to openly discriminate against anyone for being gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. This includes veterans.
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Nancy Barakat Vaughan; Ed, do you realize that this bill also stripped the LGBTQ community of non-discrimination protections -- afforded to everyone else including you -- when it comes to employment, housing and public accomodations?
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Greta Anita Lint; Aren't you on the payroll for some LGBT organization?
1 · March 24 at 11:11am
Rosalyn Marhatta; Who cares. Discrimination is intolerable and who will patrol the bathrooms? We will lose jobs and that will slap down the economy.
2 · March 24 at 2:51pm
Nancy Barakat Vaughan; Yes, I am. The Guilford Green Foundation.
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Nancy Barakat Vaughan
March 23 at 6:06am ·
Greensboro Mayor Nancy Vaughan has called the special session another wasteful example of state government intruding into matters that are best handled at the local level.
"Here's what the law does:
The statute overturns and bans local laws that don't conform to the state's nondiscrimination laws for the workplace and public accommodations (hotels, restaurants, and other places that serve the public). Since the state doesn't ban discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in the workplace or public accommodations, this effectively forces all cities and counties to keep it legal to discriminate against LGBTQ people in these settings.
It prohibits transgender people from using bathrooms or locker rooms in schools and government agencies based solely on their gender identity. Instead, they're forced to use bathrooms and locker rooms based on the gender noted on their birth certificate, which can be changed in North Carolina through an arduous process after gender-affirming surgery but not before then. Public facilities can still build unisex single-person bathrooms to accommodate trans people, but it's not required."
http://www.vox.com/2016/2/23/11100552/charlotte-north-carolina-lgbtq-pat-mccrory
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"Greensboro first in N.C. to OK sexual orientation, gender identity housing protections
The city is the first in the state to include sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression in its housing non-discrimination policies, city officials say.
The City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to make the changes to three existing non-discrimination ordinances.
Are all three ordinances now null and void?
The first prohibits discrimination in city programs, services or activities.
As part of this the city will explore the feasibility of adding gender neutral restrooms or changing rooms in all city buildings. The rooms would be available to all genders and people of all gender identities and expressions as well as to families.
The second change codifies non-discrimination protections already in place for city employees based on sexual orientation and adds gender identity as a protected class.
The last change prohibits discrimination in the “buying, renting, selling, or advertising of real estate" on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity — a newer battleground in the movement for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights.
...Vaughan said she believes the move sends the right message about Greensboro.
"It says we're inclusive and welcoming," Vaughan said. "That's what we want people to think of when they think of Greensboro."
http://www.greensboro.com/news/greensboro-first-in-n-c-to-ok-sexual-orientation-gender/article_1b5c43dc-9605-11e4-8ac9-ffeead225773.html
“This historic vote in Greensboro sends a clear signal that gay and transgender citizens, workers and their families should be treated fairly and equally by the laws and policies in North Carolina, while also sending a strong message to other parts of the state that no one should have to choose between who they are or who they love, and where they can live, where they can work, and the basic services they receive.
By updating their policies tonight, the City of Greensboro has leveled the playing field for citizens of Greensboro who are willing to work hard, earn a living, and provide for themselves and their families -- a model every corner of the state should aspire to achieve and a message we'll continue to make loud and clear in Equality NC's continuing work to pass updates to non-discrimination policies on the state and local level."
Eighteen city and county governments across the state provide some form of employment protections for LGBT workers. Only five other cities — Asheville, Boone, Carrboro, Chapel Hill and Charlotte — also include protections for gender identity or expression."
http://equalitync.org/latest/news/greensboro_passes_historic_protections_for_lgbt_citizens/
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Greensboro Mayor Nancy Vaughan needs to recuse herself on City LGBT protections immediately
http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/03/greensboro-mayor-nancy-vaughan-needs-to.html
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Nancy Barakat Vaughan
March 23 at 6:06am ·
Greensboro Mayor Nancy Vaughan has called the special session another wasteful example of state government intruding into matters that are best handled at the local level.
"Here's what the law does:
The statute overturns and bans local laws that don't conform to the state's nondiscrimination laws for the workplace and public accommodations (hotels, restaurants, and other places that serve the public). Since the state doesn't ban discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in the workplace or public accommodations, this effectively forces all cities and counties to keep it legal to discriminate against LGBTQ people in these settings.
It prohibits transgender people from using bathrooms or locker rooms in schools and government agencies based solely on their gender identity. Instead, they're forced to use bathrooms and locker rooms based on the gender noted on their birth certificate, which can be changed in North Carolina through an arduous process after gender-affirming surgery but not before then. Public facilities can still build unisex single-person bathrooms to accommodate trans people, but it's not required."
http://www.vox.com/2016/2/23/11100552/charlotte-north-carolina-lgbtq-pat-mccrory
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.
"Greensboro first in N.C. to OK sexual orientation, gender identity housing protections
The city is the first in the state to include sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression in its housing non-discrimination policies, city officials say.
The City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to make the changes to three existing non-discrimination ordinances.
Are all three ordinances now null and void?
The first prohibits discrimination in city programs, services or activities.
If the state invalidated the ordinances,
how can Nancy Vaughan advocate for the reversal
if she is also serving as a paid lobbyist for an LBGT group?
As part of this the city will explore the feasibility of adding gender neutral restrooms or changing rooms in all city buildings. The rooms would be available to all genders and people of all gender identities and expressions as well as to families.
The second change codifies non-discrimination protections already in place for city employees based on sexual orientation and adds gender identity as a protected class.
The last change prohibits discrimination in the “buying, renting, selling, or advertising of real estate" on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity — a newer battleground in the movement for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights.
...Vaughan said she believes the move sends the right message about Greensboro.
"It says we're inclusive and welcoming," Vaughan said. "That's what we want people to think of when they think of Greensboro."
http://www.greensboro.com/news/greensboro-first-in-n-c-to-ok-sexual-orientation-gender/article_1b5c43dc-9605-11e4-8ac9-ffeead225773.html
Mayor and Council:
...What must be considered is if a conflict of interest exists
either under N.C.G.S. §§160A-75 or 14-234,
or the City of Greensboro’s Charter, or the City’s Conflict of Interest Policy.
...Direct or indirect benefits are considered under the City’s conflict of interest policy
and typically involve financial interests for the Councilmember,
his or her immediate family, their partner,
or an organization which employs or is about to employ the member, family member or partner...
Mujeeb
S. Mujeeb Shah-Khan
CITY ATTORNEY
OFFICE OF THE CITY ATTORNEY
“This historic vote in Greensboro sends a clear signal that gay and transgender citizens, workers and their families should be treated fairly and equally by the laws and policies in North Carolina, while also sending a strong message to other parts of the state that no one should have to choose between who they are or who they love, and where they can live, where they can work, and the basic services they receive.
By updating their policies tonight, the City of Greensboro has leveled the playing field for citizens of Greensboro who are willing to work hard, earn a living, and provide for themselves and their families -- a model every corner of the state should aspire to achieve and a message we'll continue to make loud and clear in Equality NC's continuing work to pass updates to non-discrimination policies on the state and local level."
NC § 138A-36; ...no public servant...authorized to perform an official action requiring the exercise of discretion,
shall participate in an official action by the employing entity if the public servant
...may incur a reasonably foreseeable financial benefit
...which financial benefit would impair the public servant's independence of judgment
or from which it could reasonably be inferred
that the financial benefit would influence the public servant's participation in the official action.
...(c) A public servant shall take appropriate steps
...to remove himself or herself to the extent necessary,
to protect the public interest and comply with this Chapter,
from any proceeding in which the public servant's impartiality might reasonably be questioned
due to the public servant's familial, personal, or financial relationship with a participant in the proceeding.
A participant includes (i) an ...employee, agent, officer, or director of a business,
organization, or group involved in the proceeding,
or (ii) an organization or group that has petitioned for rule making
or has some specific, unique, and substantial interest in the proceeding.
Eighteen city and county governments across the state provide some form of employment protections for LGBT workers. Only five other cities — Asheville, Boone, Carrboro, Chapel Hill and Charlotte — also include protections for gender identity or expression."
http://equalitync.org/latest/news/greensboro_passes_historic_protections_for_lgbt_citizens/
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Greensboro Mayor Nancy Vaughan needs to recuse herself on City LGBT protections immediately
http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/03/greensboro-mayor-nancy-vaughan-needs-to.html
