Petition to McCrory says HB2 bad for residents' health
RALEIGH (WTVD) -- A group of medical students and doctors filed into the State Capitol building on Friday to deliver a petition with 710 signatures asking Gov. Pat McCrory to repeal House Bill 2.
"As a queer person, our community is constantly mourning," said Karan Ahluwalia, a first-year medical student at UNC-Chapel Hill.
Ahluwalia argues HB2 is inciting a fear of using public spaces in the transgender and queer community, including hospitals. And said lack of treatment and the effect of a so-called hateful climate could almost impact mental health.
READ THE FULL PETITION HERE (.PDF)
The petition begins by telling the governor that the bill is "harmful to the health and wellbeing of the citizens of North Carolina."
The group cites the bill's restrictions on local governments to pass anti-discrimination laws or to raise the minimum wage.
"Enforcing unlivable wages perpetuates conditions that lead to poor health outcomes," said UNC medical student Nicole Damari.
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They also point out the part of the bill that bans the transgender from using public bathrooms that align with their gender identity.
Read all ABC11 stories about HB2 here
"If a person is socially being oppressed, if a person is experiencing class discrimination, that's going to affect their health," said Ahluwalia. "We've known that for years."
"Living in a society that is harmful to you has a huge impact on mental health," said Margo Faulk, UNC medical student.
