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The
demonstrators, carrying signs and chanting phrases like "Trans
lives matter," blocked traffic in front of Republican Governor
Pat McCrory's residence in Raleigh, according to images shared
on Twitter by reporters, gay rights groups and protesters.
Videos posted on Twitter showed several protesters being
arrested. A police dispatcher confirmed that a protest was under
way, but could not provide details on arrests or injuries.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender advocacy groups condemned
the law's passage and said they were exploring legal challenges.
The National Basketball Association on Thursday called the law
discriminatory, adding it did "not yet know what impact it will
have on our ability to successfully host the 2017 All-Star Game
in Charlotte."
The legislation came in response to a provision approved last
month in Charlotte, the state's largest city, as part of an
expanded non-discrimination ordinance that also added
protections for marital and familial status, sexual orientation,
gender expression and gender identity.
The state measure passed both chambers of the legislature during
a one-day special session convened to address the issue.
Republican lawmakers warned that Charlotte's "radical" action
would create a public safety issue by giving men, including sex
offenders, access to women's bathrooms if allowed to take effect
on April 1.
McCrory, a former Charlotte mayor, signed the bill late on
Wednesday. He said the city's measure "defies common sense."
Opponents of the state law said no public safety risks had
arisen in the more than 200 U.S. cities that have enacted
protections similar to those passed in Charlotte.
(Reporting by Curtis Skinner in San Francisco; Editing by Peter
Cooney)
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