| | | North Carolina signals reversal on transgender bathroom law 7 / 17
 © REUTERS/Jonathan Drake File photo of North Carolina Governor-elect Roy Cooper speaking to supporters at a victory rally in Raleigh
North Carolina's governor-elect said on Monday a deal could soon bring the repeal of a state law limiting bathroom access for transgender people, following nine months of economic boycotts and protests over legislation protested as discriminatory.
Under the law adopted in March, North Carolina was the first U.S. state to ban transgender people from using government-run restrooms that match their gender identity. The law, which catapulted the state to the forefront of U.S. culture wars over lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights, has been blamed for hundreds of millions of dollars in economic losses and the relocation of major sporting events.
In a surprise development, incoming Governor Roy Cooper, a Democrat, said on Monday that Republican legislative leaders agreed to call a special session as soon as Tuesday to repeal the law, known as House Bill (H.B.) 2.
"I hope they will keep their word to me," Cooper said in a statement. "Full repeal will help to bring jobs, sports and entertainment events back and will provide the opportunity for strong LGBT protections in our state."
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