Lagging by about 10,000 votes in the gubernatorial election, North Carolina's infamous Gov. Pat McCrory has finally conceded, paving the way for an LGBT-friendly governor to assume office.
Attorney General Roy Cooper will be North Carolina's next governor; he's a Democrat and staunch opponent of House Bill 2, the intensely homophobic, transphobic bill signed into law by McCrory this year. HB 2 rescinded all LGBT-inclusive nondiscrimination protections in the state, banned future protections, and mandated what public restrooms transgender North Carolinians could use when they're in government buildings. The state has lost billions in revenue following boycotts and intense outcry over HB 2, and it's believed the legislation contributed to McCrory's loss. McCrory also enacted a voter ID law in 2014 that disenfranchised thousands of minority voters.
After challenging the election results for weeks, McCrory finally conceded in a video released Monday, in which he claims North Carolina is in a better position because of his leadership. Watch below.
"Pat McCrory's reign of discrimination is finally over. McCrory's stubborn and reckless support of HB2 cost him this election, and his defeat sends a powerful warning to lawmakers across the country that targeting LGBTQ people will not be tolerated," Human Rights Campaign president Chad Griffin said in a statement. "We look forward to working with Governor-elect Roy Cooper and fair-minded lawmakers to repeal HB2. It's way past time to repair the harm inflicted on North Carolina's people, reputation and economy."
