New York State Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio have issued a ban on all non-essential, publicly-funded travel to North Carolina in response to the passing of the law there that overturns anti-discrimination protections for the LGBT community.
North Carolina state legislators passed the controversial law that blocks local governments from passing anti-discrimination measures. It also requires people who are transgender to use bathrooms according to the sex assigned to them at birth.
But this blatantly clear act of discrimination has not been taken lightly by Cuomo or de Blasio.
In his statement announcing his executive order, Cuomo said, “In New York, we believe that all people — regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation — deserve the same rights and protections under the eyes of the law… From Stonewall to marriage equality, our state has been a beacon of hope and equality for the LGBT community, and we will not stand idly by as misguided legislation replicates the discrimination of the past,” Newsday reports.
Bill de Blasio also noted that he would implement a ban on non-essential travel to Georgia if the state’s legislature votes for a similar law allowing discrimination against gay and lesbian people in Georgia.
He has also put a ban on traveling to Mississippi in light of recent legislation that would ban legal action against those who hold the sincere religious belief that marriage is only between one man and one woman.
Such travel bans could seriously cut into their states’ tourism industry. For example, 24% of leisure travelers have stayed in traditional hotels and resorts in the past two years, and 23% have stayed in condo resorts; such rental companies would lose money if more travelers avoid these areas.
A travel ban will have unfavorable economic consequences to North Carolinian tourism. New York City follows in the footsteps of Seattle, Dayton, Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Portland, and San Francisco, who have also declared similar bans.