Today's MOZEN: HB2 - The Bill That Just Won't Go Away

F LoBuono

It's full name is House Bill 2 - the Public Facilities Privacy and Security Act (aka HB2). It was recently passed by the Republican Controlled legislature of North Carolina. Basically, it requires that all people using a public bathroom in the State must use the one of their birth sex, regardless of the sex they currently identified with.

The passage of the bill created an uproar not only in the State of North Carolina but around the Country and world, as well. Many, particularly those in the LGBT community, were outraged, claiming that the bill was a thinly veiled attempt at further limiting the rights that they had fought so hard to attain. Others claim it is much ado about nothing. They ask "why are we debating about bathroom rights and not the things most affecting this Country"? Some even suggested the debate was a ploy by the D.C. establishment to distract us from the "real" issues.

I disagree with them.

In my mind, it is One of the Most Important Issues we can face this, or any other, election cycle!

Despite what the sponsors of the bill may call it, it was NEVER about bathroom privacy! Rather, this legislation is a conflict between exclusion instead of inclusion. The law spreads fear and loathing rather than encouraging understanding and compassion. Instead of empowering, it degrades and debases. It takes a potential teaching moment for our children and turns it into a lesson in hypocrisy

These are the events that will shape our future.

With that in mind we must ask yourself this question: what is your vision for the future of this Country?

Does that vision include images of equality - for ALL? Is it one of compassion where people do not judge? Will it include lessons for our children in acceptance of those who may be different? Will it be a world filled with tolerance or violence?

Is it REALLY so difficult to envision these things for ourselves, our families, and our Country? We only lack the will to make this happen. If we had, we would work to have HB2 repealed immediately.

That legislation was never simply about who pees where! It's about DIRECTION. So, we must further ask, what is the path WE want to see our Country take?

We have choices to make. Let's make the right ones.