Lieutenant Kathy Hochul is backing Governor Andrew Cuomo's decision to ban all non-essential state-backed travel to North Carolina. Cuomo's protest against a new law, one that critics say discriminates against transgenders, is picking up support out of state.
North Carolina's new law includes a provision requiring transgender people use public restrooms based on the gender listed their birth certificates.
Critics of that law, including Cuomo, say that's discrimination. The New York governor's travel ban mandates that all state agencies, departments, boards and commissions immediately review all requests for state-funded or state-sponsored travel to North Carolina.
While making appearance in Williamsville on Tuesday, Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul backed her boss' decision.
"We're very proud of how we are inclusive to people of all genders and gender identity," Hochul said.
She added that what North Carolina is now legally supporting is not what is supported in New York.
One of New York State's neighbors is also imposing a ban on unnecessary state-funded travel to North Carolina. Vermont governor Peter Shumlin's order was issued one day after Cuomo's order.
North Carolina is also getting some internal pressure to repeal the new law. The state's attorney general, Ray Cooper, says he will not defend the new legislation in court.
Corporate interests are also turning up the heat. A letter released by gay rights advocates includes the signatures of chief executives of companies including IBM, Apple and Facebook.
