California Bans State Travel to North Carolina Over Anti-Trans Bathroom Bill

In March, San Francisco became the first city to pass a law that would forbid the city's employees from traveling to states with anti-LGBT laws on the city's dime. New legislation, which was passed on Tuesday, also prevents the city from conducting business with companies headquartered in such states.

According to the Sacramento Bee, the law could also restrict travel for college sports teams associated with the University of California and the California State University system.

District 8 Supervisor Scott Wiener, sponsor of San Francisco's new law, told Courthouse News that the the legislation "codifies the ban and expands the ban to include spending in these states." He also said, "This will have a strong message that San Francisco stands firmly with our LGBT community around the country."

The anti-trans law, or HB2, which also prevents local governments in the state from passing laws to protect the LGBTQ community, has received backlash nationwide. California and San Francisco are part of growing list of those refusing to do business with or in North Carolina. The law has also proved financially disastrous for the state of North Carolina. The legal battle to pass HB2 into law has cost the capital city $285 million and 1,300 jobs, and the state's senate has used $500,000 of emergency reserves to help defend the law.

Wiener explained to Broadly over email that San Francisco's move is not merely symbolic; it also puts pressure on lawmakers in North Carolina to reconsider what actions are best for their constituents.

"The law may have a significant impact. I'm informed that our water department has already, in anticipation, shifted a contract from a North Carolina vendor to a California vendor," he said. "Moreover, San Francisco's banker is Bank of America—headquartered in North Carolina—and that contract expires in 2018."

Wiener is also hopeful that other jurisdictions will follow. "Another impact will be that our action, in combination with actions by the NBA, NCAA, ACC, and various large companies who are disinvesting, other states will think twice before heading down this path," he said. "Of course, our goal is for these laws to be repealed or struck down so that our law never has to be applied. I would love nothing more than seeing this law become moot."

When asked if the law could potentially have negative consequences for those in states like North Carolina actively working to promote equal rights, Wiener said, "Boycotts are never easy, and there are advantages and disadvantages. The same argument about impacts could be made about the boycott of South Africa during apartheid or the decisions by the NBA, NCAA, ACC, Salesforce, and PayPal regarding North Carolina."

"There's going to be an impact on them, which is why we encourage people to support those communities in many different ways, including donations to non profits trying to repeal laws. Unfortunately, the citizens are being played by their own government and by fundamentalists, and that's who they have to blame."

Alberto R. Lammers, the director of communications at the SF LGBT Center, told Broadly that he doesn't believe the majority of people back these laws. "They're being used by the governor, the state house, and they are the ones who end up losing. The legislators aren't losing anything unless the voters elect them out of office."

Lammers added, "These laws add pressure on states like North Carolina, as do corporations and professional leagues. If we all come together to create a discussion on this issue, to defend LGBT rights, to stand up again fundamentalism, it will have a better impact not only in North Carolina but a long-term impact across the country."