April 14. The first of a series of town hall meetings across the state focused on the repeal of House Bill 2 will be held at 7 p.m. today at Le Meridien in Charlotte. Led by advocacy group TurnOUT! North Carolina, the meeting will include speakers Mayor Jennifer Roberts, Council Member Al Austin, Human Rights Campaign President Chad Griffin, Equality NC Executive Director Chris Sgro and other local LGBT community members.

LGBT advocates say that HB2 has eliminated existing municipal non-discrimination protections for LGBT people and prevents such protections from being passed by cities in the future. The legislation also forces transgender students in public schools to use restrooms and other facilities inconsistent with their gender identity, putting $4.5 billion in federal funding under Title IX at risk.

“Over the last several weeks, state legislative leaders have heard from a growing chorus of North Carolinians, civil rights advocates, business executives and faith leaders that HB2 is dangerous to people and business across the state,” said HRC National Field Director Marty Rouse. “In Charlotte this Thursday and in cities across the state over the next two weeks, we must continue to stand up, speak out, and ensure the state legislature approaches the coming short session with an understanding of how urgently this discriminatory bill must be repealed.”

A joint effort of the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization, and Equality NC, the state organization working to secure equal rights and justice for LGBT North Carolinians, TurnOUT! NC has been working to repeal the discriminatory legislation since it was signed by Governor McCrory on March 23. The North Carolina General Assembly returns for its 2016 short session on April 25.