It pains us to say it, but a research fellow from the left-wing watchdog group Media Matters for America was perfectly justified in calling out the left-wing Washington Post today in its reporting of North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory’s freshly signed executive order “softening” the state’s so-called “bathroom bill,” which has inspired companies to withdraw from the state, prompted travel bans and led Bruce Springsteen to cancel a concert there.
In a blog post and a YouTube video posted this afternoon, McCrory explained that his executive order expanded the state’s equal employment opportunity policy “to clarify that sexual orientation and gender identity are included.”
Why I signed an executive order to affirm & improve NC’s commitment to privacy & equality: https://t.co/iNM8iqJ7sQ
— Pat McCrory (@PatMcCroryNC) April 12, 2016
The Washington Post quickly reported on the executive order, just after an ACLU attorney warned opponents of HB2 not to be “fooled” by the governor’s statement:
JUST IN: North Carolina governor signs executive order allowing private businesses to set their own bathroom rules https://t.co/RNqUtO7hQM
— Mark Berman (@markberman) April 12, 2016
Don't be fooled by Gov. @PatMcCroryNC's EO. Leaves anti-trans bathroom rules in place as well as bar on local LGBT protections.
— Chase Strangio (@chasestrangio) April 12, 2016
Media Matters research fellow Carlos Maza called out the Washington Post, citing the fact that the “bathroom rule” never applied to private businesses in the first place, but only to schools and government buildings.
Good lord, @washingtonpost. This is 100% inaccurate. https://t.co/WLtwQivto7 pic.twitter.com/HSEiPUX6Ny
— Carlos Maza (@gaywonk) April 12, 2016
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Really, really misleading reporting. #HB2 already allowed that. New executive order doesn't change anything. https://t.co/o38Pz62OTN
— Carlos Maza (@gaywonk) April 12, 2016
@markberman @washingtonpost House Bill 2 allowed businesses to set own bathroom rules. HB2 applied only to restrooms on govt. property
— Paul Woolverton (@FO_Woolverton) April 12, 2016
@gaywonk I wasn't aware it allowed private business to. Now I'm really confused, it *really* didn't change anything did it?
— Eliel Cruz (@elielcruz) April 12, 2016
.@markberman order does nothing but ask the #ncleg to change it. It is clarification that #HB2 only applies to state property
— Dan (@dankelly80) April 12, 2016
@markberman @washingtonpost Adding sexual orientation and gender identity to state employee protections is the big deal in this.
— jonna ??️?? (@peaceluvgsp) April 12, 2016
Whether you’re for or against allowing people to choose which bathroom they use based on their gender identity (and the backlash against the bill was admittedly immense), today’s executive order doesn’t change anything as far as private businesses are concerned — meaning protests and threats to divest from the state will likely continue.
Good reminder that journalists just listen 2 what politicians say & don't read actual WORDS. HB 2 still fully in place. Stop spreading lies
— Chase Strangio (@chasestrangio) April 12, 2016
Read the actual ORDER. See here. Anti-trans provisions remain the same. So does everything else in HB2. pic.twitter.com/qX52HFq42g
— Chase Strangio (@chasestrangio) April 12, 2016
I see other reports that NC gov’s order “amended" or “softened” the law.
It does not do those things.
— Dominic Holden (@dominicholden) April 12, 2016
The Washington Post did correct its headline, and eventually the article itself, and then took the bizarre step of directing those who wanted to see the original “incorrect text” to Maza’s tweet and the accompanying screenshot.
.@washingtonpost finally issues correction of misleading NC story. Links to my tweet. https://t.co/NBcbWANuX6 pic.twitter.com/Kk4IbTMCjK
— Carlos Maza (@gaywonk) April 12, 2016
Don't let anybody every tell you that being a loud asshole on the internet doesn't pay off.
— Carlos Maza (@gaywonk) April 12, 2016
Please nobody from WaPo kill me I'm just having a bad day I promise I'm a lot of fun at karaoke.
— Carlos Maza (@gaywonk) April 12, 2016
The Obama administration quietly opened a “symbolic” all-gender bathroom in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building just last year, after allowing years of “anti-trans” discrimination inside “The People’s House” to pass.
Related:
Quarantined: Gov. Andrew Cuomo bans nonessential travel to transphobic North Carolina
‘Raising my voice in opposition’: Bruce Springsteen cancels N.C. concert over HB2 law
Houston’s ‘bathroom ordinance’ is ‘absolutely crushed’ at ballot box, staining city’s reputation
Houston mayor calls voters who opposed city’s ‘bathroom bill’ transphobes
‘I’m blocked too’: Houston mayor not eager to hear from people she called ‘transphobes’?
Rep. contributes to today’s symbolic gestures, raises transgender flag outside his office
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