General Assembly to hold special session on Charlotte non-discrimination ordinance

RALEIGH (WTVD) -- Lawmakers announced Monday they will have a special session on Wednesday to address the Charlotte non-discrimination ordinance.

Senate and House leaders said they obtained the necessary three-fifths majority to both chambers for the special session.

The ordinance would allow someone to choose whether they want to use a men's or women's restroom based on their gender identity or expression. It would also prohibit a business from denying services to someone within the LGBT community.

Lt. Gov. Dan Forest and House Speaker Tim Moore released a joint statement:

The Senate and House have received the necessary number of signatures from members of the General Assembly to call themselves back into session. In accordance with the State Constitution, we will so call for a special session. We aim to repeal this ordinance before it goes into effect to provide for the privacy and protection of the women and children of our state.

Governor McCrory, Republican House Speaker Tim Moore, and Senate leader Phil Berger have said they oppose the ordinance passed last month. It's set to take effect April 1.

Shawn Long, a proponent of the bathroom ordinance and a spokesperson for the LBGT communities, said that a special session is a waste of taxpayer money.

"They are pushing for, you know, a few weeks before the actual session, a 42-thousand dollar a day special session because of this, something based purely upon fear mongering and not on fact," said Long.