PayPal bails on North Carolina

[TitanTiger 20,472]

File under "Ways to Undermine The Legitimacy of One's Cause."

The homosexual leader of efforts in North Carolina to allow men to use women’s bathrooms is a convicted and registered sex offender, according to documents made available to Breitbart News.

Chad Sevearance is president of the Charlotte Business Guild, which describes itself as “a network of LGBT professionals, business owners, employees and individuals in the Charlotte area who meet to nurture a network of business contacts; encourage fellowship and support among community business, professional and charitable pursuits; and provide and promote positive role models in the LGBT community.”

Sevearance and his group have taken a lead role in seeking the right to allow males to use the restrooms and showers of females, including those of little girls, which is described by advocates as nothing more than nondiscrimination measures. Sevearance was quoted in the Charlotte Observer saying that because a recent bathroom “nondiscrimination ordinance” bill did not pass, “someone can ask me to leave a restaurant because I’m presumed to be gay or transgender.”

In 1998, Sevearance worked as a youth minister and in that capacity allegedly lured younger men to his apartment to spend the night where Severance showed them pornography and tried to talk them into sex. One boy testified that he woke up to find Severance “fondling him.” Severance was convicted on one charge of sexual molestation of a minor.

As a result of his 2000 conviction, Sevearance must register with the police on a regular basis for a minimum of ten years. His most recent mug shot and registration took place at the end of last year.

A reporter with the Charlotte Observer confirmed for Breitbart News that the Chad Sevearance they frequently quote is the same man who was convicted for sexual assault of a minor in 2000.

Repeated calls to the Charlotte Business Guild went unanswered.

Both the webpage and the Facebook page of Severance’s group have been disabled.

http://www.breitbart...north-carolina/

The former president of Charlotte’s LGBT Chamber of Commerce has resigned after he came under fire from a conservative group, which noted that he is on a sex offender list and questioned his role in supporting the city’s expanded nondiscrimination ordinance.

Chad Sevearance-Turner had been the president of the chamber, which supported the newly expanded ordinance that gives legal protection for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals.

At a City Council meeting Feb. 8, Mayor Jennifer Roberts cited a survey that showed discrimination was a real problem for the LGBT community. During the meeting, she said the survey was conducted by the LGBT Chamber.

That prompted questions from the N.C. Values Coalition, which opposes the new LGBT protections in the ordinance.

Tami Fitzgerald, who leads the Raleigh-based coalition, first mentioned Sevearance-Turner’s record at a Feb. 8 news conference outside the Government Center, which Sevearance-Turner attended. On Feb. 18, the coalition issued a news release further questioning the chamber’s role in the survey.

Because of his record, “any supposed evidence provided by the group is discredited,” she wrote.

Scott Bishop, the head of MeckPAC, a lobbying group for the LGBT community, said last month the chamber wasn’t involved in the survey. He said a social worker distributed the surveys, which were then forwarded to MeckPAC.

In an interview with the Observer, Sevearance-Turner said his group didn’t conduct the survey.

Sevearance-Turner was arrested in 1998, when he was 20, and charged in Cherokee County, S.C., with a “lewd act, committing or attempting a lewd act upon a child under 16.”

A 2000 story in the Spartanburg Herald-Journal said Sevearance-Turner had been a youth minister at a church in Gaffney. A jury there found him guilty of fondling a 15-year-old teenage church member while the boy slept.

Before he stepped down as chamber president, Sevearance-Turner said the N.C. Values Coalition’s criticism “did not surprise him.”

He said his conviction had not stopped him from achieving success, such as being chamber president.

He couldn’t be reached for comment Wednesday. Q Notes, a publication that covers Charlotte’s LGBT community, reported Thursday that he had resigned.

Fitzgerald said Thursday that Sevearance-Turner’s role in supporting the ordinance is troubling.

“No one who is a convicted sex offender should be leading a campaign to allow men to be in women’s bathrooms and showers,” she said. “It’s just common sense.”

The most controversial part of Charlotte’s expanded nondiscrimination ordinance would allow transgender individuals to use either a men’s or women’s restroom. If the person identifies as female, they would be allowed to use a women’s restroom in places of public accommodation.

Opponents have said that would make it easier for men to prey on women and girls inside women’s bathrooms. Supporters said there are already laws against that, and that transgender people are the ones who face danger in bathrooms.

The N.C. General Assembly is considering a special session to overturn part of the ordinance.

The N.C. Republican Party issued a news release Monday highlighting Sevearance-Turner’s role in the nondiscrimination ordinance.

http://www.charlotte...le64943682.html

This is the sort of thing that bothers people who aren't all gung-ho to uncritically and indiscriminately jump on the "use whatever bathroom your feelings tell you to use" train. The entire push sounds like an episode of "Law of Unintended Consequences" waiting to happen.

[aujeff11 6,243]

File under "Ways to Undermine The Legitimacy of One's Cause."

The homosexual leader of efforts in North Carolina to allow men to use women’s bathrooms is a convicted and registered sex offender, according to documents made available to Breitbart News.

Chad Sevearance is president of the Charlotte Business Guild, which describes itself as “a network of LGBT professionals, business owners, employees and individuals in the Charlotte area who meet to nurture a network of business contacts; encourage fellowship and support among community business, professional and charitable pursuits; and provide and promote positive role models in the LGBT community.”

Sevearance and his group have taken a lead role in seeking the right to allow males to use the restrooms and showers of females, including those of little girls, which is described by advocates as nothing more than nondiscrimination measures. Sevearance was quoted in the Charlotte Observer saying that because a recent bathroom “nondiscrimination ordinance” bill did not pass, “someone can ask me to leave a restaurant because I’m presumed to be gay or transgender.”

In 1998, Sevearance worked as a youth minister and in that capacity allegedly lured younger men to his apartment to spend the night where Severance showed them pornography and tried to talk them into sex. One boy testified that he woke up to find Severance “fondling him.” Severance was convicted on one charge of sexual molestation of a minor.

As a result of his 2000 conviction, Sevearance must register with the police on a regular basis for a minimum of ten years. His most recent mug shot and registration took place at the end of last year.

A reporter with the Charlotte Observer confirmed for Breitbart News that the Chad Sevearance they frequently quote is the same man who was convicted for sexual assault of a minor in 2000.

Repeated calls to the Charlotte Business Guild went unanswered.

Both the webpage and the Facebook page of Severance’s group have been disabled.

http://www.breitbart...north-carolina/

The former president of Charlotte’s LGBT Chamber of Commerce has resigned after he came under fire from a conservative group, which noted that he is on a sex offender list and questioned his role in supporting the city’s expanded nondiscrimination ordinance.

Chad Sevearance-Turner had been the president of the chamber, which supported the newly expanded ordinance that gives legal protection for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals.

At a City Council meeting Feb. 8, Mayor Jennifer Roberts cited a survey that showed discrimination was a real problem for the LGBT community. During the meeting, she said the survey was conducted by the LGBT Chamber.

That prompted questions from the N.C. Values Coalition, which opposes the new LGBT protections in the ordinance.

Tami Fitzgerald, who leads the Raleigh-based coalition, first mentioned Sevearance-Turner’s record at a Feb. 8 news conference outside the Government Center, which Sevearance-Turner attended. On Feb. 18, the coalition issued a news release further questioning the chamber’s role in the survey.

Because of his record, “any supposed evidence provided by the group is discredited,” she wrote.

Scott Bishop, the head of MeckPAC, a lobbying group for the LGBT community, said last month the chamber wasn’t involved in the survey. He said a social worker distributed the surveys, which were then forwarded to MeckPAC.

In an interview with the Observer, Sevearance-Turner said his group didn’t conduct the survey.

Sevearance-Turner was arrested in 1998, when he was 20, and charged in Cherokee County, S.C., with a “lewd act, committing or attempting a lewd act upon a child under 16.”

A 2000 story in the Spartanburg Herald-Journal said Sevearance-Turner had been a youth minister at a church in Gaffney. A jury there found him guilty of fondling a 15-year-old teenage church member while the boy slept.

Before he stepped down as chamber president, Sevearance-Turner said the N.C. Values Coalition’s criticism “did not surprise him.”

He said his conviction had not stopped him from achieving success, such as being chamber president.

He couldn’t be reached for comment Wednesday. Q Notes, a publication that covers Charlotte’s LGBT community, reported Thursday that he had resigned.

Fitzgerald said Thursday that Sevearance-Turner’s role in supporting the ordinance is troubling.

“No one who is a convicted sex offender should be leading a campaign to allow men to be in women’s bathrooms and showers,” she said. “It’s just common sense.”

The most controversial part of Charlotte’s expanded nondiscrimination ordinance would allow transgender individuals to use either a men’s or women’s restroom. If the person identifies as female, they would be allowed to use a women’s restroom in places of public accommodation.

Opponents have said that would make it easier for men to prey on women and girls inside women’s bathrooms. Supporters said there are already laws against that, and that transgender people are the ones who face danger in bathrooms.

The N.C. General Assembly is considering a special session to overturn part of the ordinance.

The N.C. Republican Party issued a news release Monday highlighting Sevearance-Turner’s role in the nondiscrimination ordinance.

http://www.charlotte...le64943682.html

This is the sort of thing that bothers people who aren't all gung-ho to uncritically and indiscriminately jump on the "use whatever bathroom your feelings tell you to use" train. The entire push sounds like an episode of "Law of Unintended Consequences" waiting to happen.

Identity is the hot topic word today. Maybe one day "hypocrisy" will be the hot topic word so that I can point out Pay Pal does business in places like China and Saudia Arabia.

[icanthearyou 4,462]

File under "Ways to Undermine The Legitimacy of One's Cause."

The homosexual leader of efforts in North Carolina to allow men to use women's bathrooms is a convicted and registered sex offender, according to documents made available to Breitbart News.

Chad Sevearance is president of the Charlotte Business Guild, which describes itself as "a network of LGBT professionals, business owners, employees and individuals in the Charlotte area who meet to nurture a network of business contacts; encourage fellowship and support among community business, professional and charitable pursuits; and provide and promote positive role models in the LGBT community."

Sevearance and his group have taken a lead role in seeking the right to allow males to use the restrooms and showers of females, including those of little girls, which is described by advocates as nothing more than nondiscrimination measures. Sevearance was quoted in the Charlotte Observer saying that because a recent bathroom "nondiscrimination ordinance" bill did not pass, "someone can ask me to leave a restaurant because I'm presumed to be gay or transgender."

In 1998, Sevearance worked as a youth minister and in that capacity allegedly lured younger men to his apartment to spend the night where Severance showed them pornography and tried to talk them into sex. One boy testified that he woke up to find Severance "fondling him." Severance was convicted on one charge of sexual molestation of a minor.

As a result of his 2000 conviction, Sevearance must register with the police on a regular basis for a minimum of ten years. His most recent mug shot and registration took place at the end of last year.

A reporter with the Charlotte Observer confirmed for Breitbart News that the Chad Sevearance they frequently quote is the same man who was convicted for sexual assault of a minor in 2000.

Repeated calls to the Charlotte Business Guild went unanswered.

Both the webpage and the Facebook page of Severance's group have been disabled.

http://www.breitbart...north-carolina/

The former president of Charlotte's LGBT Chamber of Commerce has resigned after he came under fire from a conservative group, which noted that he is on a sex offender list and questioned his role in supporting the city's expanded nondiscrimination ordinance.

Chad Sevearance-Turner had been the president of the chamber, which supported the newly expanded ordinance that gives legal protection for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals.

At a City Council meeting Feb. 8, Mayor Jennifer Roberts cited a survey that showed discrimination was a real problem for the LGBT community. During the meeting, she said the survey was conducted by the LGBT Chamber.

That prompted questions from the N.C. Values Coalition, which opposes the new LGBT protections in the ordinance.

Tami Fitzgerald, who leads the Raleigh-based coalition, first mentioned Sevearance-Turner's record at a Feb. 8 news conference outside the Government Center, which Sevearance-Turner attended. On Feb. 18, the coalition issued a news release further questioning the chamber's role in the survey.

Because of his record, "any supposed evidence provided by the group is discredited," she wrote.

Scott Bishop, the head of MeckPAC, a lobbying group for the LGBT community, said last month the chamber wasn't involved in the survey. He said a social worker distributed the surveys, which were then forwarded to MeckPAC.

In an interview with the Observer, Sevearance-Turner said his group didn't conduct the survey.

Sevearance-Turner was arrested in 1998, when he was 20, and charged in Cherokee County, S.C., with a "lewd act, committing or attempting a lewd act upon a child under 16."

A 2000 story in the Spartanburg Herald-Journal said Sevearance-Turner had been a youth minister at a church in Gaffney. A jury there found him guilty of fondling a 15-year-old teenage church member while the boy slept.

Before he stepped down as chamber president, Sevearance-Turner said the N.C. Values Coalition's criticism "did not surprise him."

He said his conviction had not stopped him from achieving success, such as being chamber president.

He couldn't be reached for comment Wednesday. Q Notes, a publication that covers Charlotte's LGBT community, reported Thursday that he had resigned.

Fitzgerald said Thursday that Sevearance-Turner's role in supporting the ordinance is troubling.

"No one who is a convicted sex offender should be leading a campaign to allow men to be in women's bathrooms and showers," she said. "It's just common sense."

The most controversial part of Charlotte's expanded nondiscrimination ordinance would allow transgender individuals to use either a men's or women's restroom. If the person identifies as female, they would be allowed to use a women's restroom in places of public accommodation.

Opponents have said that would make it easier for men to prey on women and girls inside women's bathrooms. Supporters said there are already laws against that, and that transgender people are the ones who face danger in bathrooms.

The N.C. General Assembly is considering a special session to overturn part of the ordinance.

The N.C. Republican Party issued a news release Monday highlighting Sevearance-Turner's role in the nondiscrimination ordinance.

http://www.charlotte...le64943682.html

This is the sort of thing that bothers people who aren't all gung-ho to uncritically and indiscriminately jump on the "use whatever bathroom your feelings tell you to use" train. The entire push sounds like an episode of "Law of Unintended Consequences" waiting to happen.

Identity is the hot topic word today. Maybe one day "hypocrisy" will be the hot topic word so that I can point out Pay Pal does business in places like China and Saudia Arabia.

Is there not a difference between where they do business and, where they headquarter operations?

[aujeff11 6,243]

File under "Ways to Undermine The Legitimacy of One's Cause."

The homosexual leader of efforts in North Carolina to allow men to use women's bathrooms is a convicted and registered sex offender, according to documents made available to Breitbart News.

Chad Sevearance is president of the Charlotte Business Guild, which describes itself as "a network of LGBT professionals, business owners, employees and individuals in the Charlotte area who meet to nurture a network of business contacts; encourage fellowship and support among community business, professional and charitable pursuits; and provide and promote positive role models in the LGBT community."

Sevearance and his group have taken a lead role in seeking the right to allow males to use the restrooms and showers of females, including those of little girls, which is described by advocates as nothing more than nondiscrimination measures. Sevearance was quoted in the Charlotte Observer saying that because a recent bathroom "nondiscrimination ordinance" bill did not pass, "someone can ask me to leave a restaurant because I'm presumed to be gay or transgender."

In 1998, Sevearance worked as a youth minister and in that capacity allegedly lured younger men to his apartment to spend the night where Severance showed them pornography and tried to talk them into sex. One boy testified that he woke up to find Severance "fondling him." Severance was convicted on one charge of sexual molestation of a minor.

As a result of his 2000 conviction, Sevearance must register with the police on a regular basis for a minimum of ten years. His most recent mug shot and registration took place at the end of last year.

A reporter with the Charlotte Observer confirmed for Breitbart News that the Chad Sevearance they frequently quote is the same man who was convicted for sexual assault of a minor in 2000.

Repeated calls to the Charlotte Business Guild went unanswered.

Both the webpage and the Facebook page of Severance's group have been disabled.

http://www.breitbart...north-carolina/

The former president of Charlotte's LGBT Chamber of Commerce has resigned after he came under fire from a conservative group, which noted that he is on a sex offender list and questioned his role in supporting the city's expanded nondiscrimination ordinance.

Chad Sevearance-Turner had been the president of the chamber, which supported the newly expanded ordinance that gives legal protection for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals.

At a City Council meeting Feb. 8, Mayor Jennifer Roberts cited a survey that showed discrimination was a real problem for the LGBT community. During the meeting, she said the survey was conducted by the LGBT Chamber.

That prompted questions from the N.C. Values Coalition, which opposes the new LGBT protections in the ordinance.

Tami Fitzgerald, who leads the Raleigh-based coalition, first mentioned Sevearance-Turner's record at a Feb. 8 news conference outside the Government Center, which Sevearance-Turner attended. On Feb. 18, the coalition issued a news release further questioning the chamber's role in the survey.

Because of his record, "any supposed evidence provided by the group is discredited," she wrote.

Scott Bishop, the head of MeckPAC, a lobbying group for the LGBT community, said last month the chamber wasn't involved in the survey. He said a social worker distributed the surveys, which were then forwarded to MeckPAC.

In an interview with the Observer, Sevearance-Turner said his group didn't conduct the survey.

Sevearance-Turner was arrested in 1998, when he was 20, and charged in Cherokee County, S.C., with a "lewd act, committing or attempting a lewd act upon a child under 16."

A 2000 story in the Spartanburg Herald-Journal said Sevearance-Turner had been a youth minister at a church in Gaffney. A jury there found him guilty of fondling a 15-year-old teenage church member while the boy slept.

Before he stepped down as chamber president, Sevearance-Turner said the N.C. Values Coalition's criticism "did not surprise him."

He said his conviction had not stopped him from achieving success, such as being chamber president.

He couldn't be reached for comment Wednesday. Q Notes, a publication that covers Charlotte's LGBT community, reported Thursday that he had resigned.

Fitzgerald said Thursday that Sevearance-Turner's role in supporting the ordinance is troubling.

"No one who is a convicted sex offender should be leading a campaign to allow men to be in women's bathrooms and showers," she said. "It's just common sense."

The most controversial part of Charlotte's expanded nondiscrimination ordinance would allow transgender individuals to use either a men's or women's restroom. If the person identifies as female, they would be allowed to use a women's restroom in places of public accommodation.

Opponents have said that would make it easier for men to prey on women and girls inside women's bathrooms. Supporters said there are already laws against that, and that transgender people are the ones who face danger in bathrooms.

The N.C. General Assembly is considering a special session to overturn part of the ordinance.

The N.C. Republican Party issued a news release Monday highlighting Sevearance-Turner's role in the nondiscrimination ordinance.

http://www.charlotte...le64943682.html

This is the sort of thing that bothers people who aren't all gung-ho to uncritically and indiscriminately jump on the "use whatever bathroom your feelings tell you to use" train. The entire push sounds like an episode of "Law of Unintended Consequences" waiting to happen.

Identity is the hot topic word today. Maybe one day "hypocrisy" will be the hot topic word so that I can point out Pay Pal does business in places like China and Saudia Arabia.

Is there not a difference between where they do business and, where they headquarter operations?

Yes but that distinction is ultimately irrelevant. The reasons why they chose to not put the headquarters in Charlotte is what's relevant.

[aujeff11 6,243]

aujeff - I don't disagree (i.e., "silicon valley" should not be able to dictate local policy) but again, it cuts both ways - those sames localities shouldn't in turn act surprised when said companies choose greener pastures.

I agree. Every decision carries consequences whether small or big. Just like California has a much higher corporate tax rate so it made sense for PayPal to leave for North Carolina.

[icanthearyou 4,462]

File under "Ways to Undermine The Legitimacy of One's Cause."

The homosexual leader of efforts in North Carolina to allow men to use women's bathrooms is a convicted and registered sex offender, according to documents made available to Breitbart News.

Chad Sevearance is president of the Charlotte Business Guild, which describes itself as "a network of LGBT professionals, business owners, employees and individuals in the Charlotte area who meet to nurture a network of business contacts; encourage fellowship and support among community business, professional and charitable pursuits; and provide and promote positive role models in the LGBT community."

Sevearance and his group have taken a lead role in seeking the right to allow males to use the restrooms and showers of females, including those of little girls, which is described by advocates as nothing more than nondiscrimination measures. Sevearance was quoted in the Charlotte Observer saying that because a recent bathroom "nondiscrimination ordinance" bill did not pass, "someone can ask me to leave a restaurant because I'm presumed to be gay or transgender."

In 1998, Sevearance worked as a youth minister and in that capacity allegedly lured younger men to his apartment to spend the night where Severance showed them pornography and tried to talk them into sex. One boy testified that he woke up to find Severance "fondling him." Severance was convicted on one charge of sexual molestation of a minor.

As a result of his 2000 conviction, Sevearance must register with the police on a regular basis for a minimum of ten years. His most recent mug shot and registration took place at the end of last year.

A reporter with the Charlotte Observer confirmed for Breitbart News that the Chad Sevearance they frequently quote is the same man who was convicted for sexual assault of a minor in 2000.

Repeated calls to the Charlotte Business Guild went unanswered.

Both the webpage and the Facebook page of Severance's group have been disabled.

http://www.breitbart...north-carolina/

The former president of Charlotte's LGBT Chamber of Commerce has resigned after he came under fire from a conservative group, which noted that he is on a sex offender list and questioned his role in supporting the city's expanded nondiscrimination ordinance.

Chad Sevearance-Turner had been the president of the chamber, which supported the newly expanded ordinance that gives legal protection for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals.

At a City Council meeting Feb. 8, Mayor Jennifer Roberts cited a survey that showed discrimination was a real problem for the LGBT community. During the meeting, she said the survey was conducted by the LGBT Chamber.

That prompted questions from the N.C. Values Coalition, which opposes the new LGBT protections in the ordinance.

Tami Fitzgerald, who leads the Raleigh-based coalition, first mentioned Sevearance-Turner's record at a Feb. 8 news conference outside the Government Center, which Sevearance-Turner attended. On Feb. 18, the coalition issued a news release further questioning the chamber's role in the survey.

Because of his record, "any supposed evidence provided by the group is discredited," she wrote.

Scott Bishop, the head of MeckPAC, a lobbying group for the LGBT community, said last month the chamber wasn't involved in the survey. He said a social worker distributed the surveys, which were then forwarded to MeckPAC.

In an interview with the Observer, Sevearance-Turner said his group didn't conduct the survey.

Sevearance-Turner was arrested in 1998, when he was 20, and charged in Cherokee County, S.C., with a "lewd act, committing or attempting a lewd act upon a child under 16."

A 2000 story in the Spartanburg Herald-Journal said Sevearance-Turner had been a youth minister at a church in Gaffney. A jury there found him guilty of fondling a 15-year-old teenage church member while the boy slept.

Before he stepped down as chamber president, Sevearance-Turner said the N.C. Values Coalition's criticism "did not surprise him."

He said his conviction had not stopped him from achieving success, such as being chamber president.

He couldn't be reached for comment Wednesday. Q Notes, a publication that covers Charlotte's LGBT community, reported Thursday that he had resigned.

Fitzgerald said Thursday that Sevearance-Turner's role in supporting the ordinance is troubling.

"No one who is a convicted sex offender should be leading a campaign to allow men to be in women's bathrooms and showers," she said. "It's just common sense."

The most controversial part of Charlotte's expanded nondiscrimination ordinance would allow transgender individuals to use either a men's or women's restroom. If the person identifies as female, they would be allowed to use a women's restroom in places of public accommodation.

Opponents have said that would make it easier for men to prey on women and girls inside women's bathrooms. Supporters said there are already laws against that, and that transgender people are the ones who face danger in bathrooms.

The N.C. General Assembly is considering a special session to overturn part of the ordinance.

The N.C. Republican Party issued a news release Monday highlighting Sevearance-Turner's role in the nondiscrimination ordinance.

http://www.charlotte...le64943682.html

This is the sort of thing that bothers people who aren't all gung-ho to uncritically and indiscriminately jump on the "use whatever bathroom your feelings tell you to use" train. The entire push sounds like an episode of "Law of Unintended Consequences" waiting to happen.

Identity is the hot topic word today. Maybe one day "hypocrisy" will be the hot topic word so that I can point out Pay Pal does business in places like China and Saudia Arabia.

Is there not a difference between where they do business and, where they headquarter operations?

Yes but that distinction is ultimately irrelevant. The reasons why they chose to not put the headquarters in Charlotte is what's relevant.

I disagree given your conditions for the use of the word "hypocrisy". Ultimately, we are all hypocrites for doing business with China and Saudia Arabia but, that is a different matter entirely.

[quietfan 233]

Seems to me, those who oppose private companies/corporations having a voice or being involved in the political arena should first and foremost be working to overturn the SCOTUS Citizens United decision (by Constitutional Amendent if necessary) and then legislate for campaign funding reform.

Conversely, to be consistent, if one supports economic boycotts of nations like North Korea, Cuba, South Africa during apartheid, Iran, etc. for political reasons, then it is hypocritical to condemn a company for making political choices regarding their marketing in North Carolina or any other places.

[icanthearyou 4,462]

Seems to me, those who oppose private companies/corporations having a voice or being involved in the political arena should first and foremost be working to overturn the SCOTUS Citizens United decision (by Constitutional Amendent if necessary) and then legislate for campaign funding reform.

Conversely, to be consistent, if one supports economic boycotts of nations like North Korea, Cuba, South Africa during apartheid, Iran, etc. for political reasons, then it is hypocritical to condemn a company for making political choices regarding their marketing in North Carolina or any other places.

I agree. IMHO, this is a much more acceptable manner of wielding economic power than, buying politicians and influence.

[aujeff11 6,243]

Seems to me, those who oppose private companies/corporations having a voice or being involved in the political arena should first and foremost be working to overturn the SCOTUS Citizens United decision (by Constitutional Amendent if necessary) and then legislate for campaign funding reform.

Conversely, to be consistent, if one supports economic boycotts of nations like North Korea, Cuba, South Africa during apartheid, Iran, etc. for political reasons, then it is hypocritical to condemn a company for making political choices regarding their marketing in North Carolina or any other places.

I never said I supported economic boycotts of countries such as China. I don't see the difference in saying you have a discriminatory bathroom bill( when it's really not) so we're not putting our HQ there but then they do business with countries that are habitually committing human rights violations. They are still aiding them!!

What's your input Titan.

[TitanTiger 20,472]

Seems to me, those who oppose private companies/corporations having a voice or being involved in the political arena should first and foremost be working to overturn the SCOTUS Citizens United decision (by Constitutional Amendent if necessary) and then legislate for campaign funding reform.

Conversely, to be consistent, if one supports economic boycotts of nations like North Korea, Cuba, South Africa during apartheid, Iran, etc. for political reasons, then it is hypocritical to condemn a company for making political choices regarding their marketing in North Carolina or any other places.

I never said I supported economic boycotts of countries such as China. I don't see the difference in saying you have a discriminatory bathroom bill( when it's really not) so we're not putting our HQ there but then they do business with countries that are habitually committing human rights violations. They are still aiding them!!

What's your input Titan.

I see a lot of hypocrisy on the part of PayPal here. They certainly have the right to grandstand over this if they wish. But it rings hollow to me. Nothing about this law really affects PayPal's business in any measurable way like the Remington decision to move did. I'd understand it a bit more if it did.

Plus, I'm weary of the over the top rhetoric being thrown at people who aren't bigots but simply wish to employ some common sense on a far from settled issue.

[mcgufcm 4,096]

I think couching a contrary opinion as the "common sense" approach is more than a little condescending, and I'm not even a transgender advocate. It's not an uncommon move, but laughable nonetheless.

As for the actual issue, PayPal can do whatever the hell they want. They don't owe the people of North Carolina anything. If they want to be in Charlotte, be in Charlotte. If they believe Charlotte or the State of North Carolina is a belligerent place full of bigots, don't be in Charlotte. Seems to me that the decision on where to build headquarters is solely a decision for the person/people/shareholders that own the business. If you don't like the company, don't use them. PayPal isn't so pervasive that you are left without alternative. If their decision offends you deeply, organize a boycott. That's your right. This is the company's right.

North Carolina made a decision within the strictures of the Constitution and the State legislative process. PayPal made a business decision. Both are allowed. If North Carolina doesn't like the pressure placed on it by businesses, then the State is free to decide that placating businesses is more important to the lives of its citizens than limiting bathroom use by transgender people. In that case, they'd reverse the law and welcome PayPal back to Charlotte.

Last point (to bring humor to a humorless discussion), it seems to me the leader of the LGBT movement that also happens to be a sex-offender is exactly the type of person you would be totally cool with entering a women's bathroom. I mean, his issue is sexually assaulting minor boys, right? Maybe giving him a key to the girls room nips two problems in the bud!

[TitanTiger 20,472]

I think couching a contrary opinion as the "common sense" approach is more than a little condescending, and I'm not even a transgender advocate. It's not an uncommon move, but laughable nonetheless.

The "common sense" I'm talking about is the very reasonable potential for sexual predators posing as transgender women to gain access to women's locker rooms and bathrooms for voyeuristic reasons or to commit sexual assaults. The potential for a huge invasion of privacy or much worse is a "common sense" concern to raise. Especially when the other side wants to make is so that the only criteria for being able to enter the opposite sex facilities is your expressed feelings and perhaps some cross dressing.

As for the actual issue, PayPal can do whatever the hell they want. They don't owe the people of North Carolina anything. If they want to be in Charlotte, be in Charlotte. If they believe Charlotte or the State of North Carolina is a belligerent place full of bigots, don't be in Charlotte. Seems to me that the decision on where to build headquarters is solely a decision for the person/people/shareholders that own the business. If you don't like the company, don't use them. PayPal isn't so pervasive that you are left without alternative. If their decision offends you deeply, organize a boycott. That's your right. This is the company's right.

They absolutely have that right. But their moral high-horse routine on this rings a little hollow when they'll bend over backwards to get their foot in the door for business in places like Saudi Arabia that will actually execute homosexuals.

[alexava 6,973]

How much of a problem is this bathroom issue anyway? How many people have been affected ?

[TitanTiger 20,472]

How much of a problem is this bathroom issue anyway? How many people have been affected ?

Hard to say. It's only now becoming more widespread. But it is happening:

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2015/10/06/u-of-t-bathrooms-voyeurism_n_8253970.html

http://thefederalist.com/2015/11/23/a-rape-survivor-speaks-out-about-transgender-bathrooms/

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2016/02/17/transgender-rule-washington-state-man-undresses-locker-room/80501904/

[Guest NC1406]

As a NC resident I respect Paypals right to cancel their expansion into NC. I canceled my PayPal account today. Personally I find public restrooms disgusting regardless of who uses them.

[Guest NC1406]

I should add that as a resident of NC I don't like the fact that the State government overrules local government. The republican ran government in nc is behaving like our federal government. Let the locals decide.

[telling tiger 156]

Yep, thank you............It was done in great part due to Charlotte's non-discrimination laws they passed.

If Charlotte did that to Bubbaville, NC, we'd be having usun's a revolution......

[Guest NC1406]

Yep, thank you............It was done in great part due to Charlotte's non-discrimination laws they passed.

If Charlotte did that to Bubbaville, NC, we'd be having usun's a revolution......

Most in bubbaville moved here to avoid Charlotte taxes and the ridiculous regulations. Once had a new store ready for a grand opening in meck county but the local government refused to let me move forward because my plants were two inches lower than the submitted plan.sold that store and 65 others within two years of that bull**** action.

[telling tiger 156]

While I don't disagree, it is still an issue of local control for the other issue. While I love the area we are in, part of its appeal is local business regulation. We have a lot of things based here that are far easier than it would be elsewhere. I'm no fan of overregulation or undue burden, at the same time, things like food safety and more than several other issues, serve a purpose for the greater good.

That is not at all a defense of absurdity.

[Guest NC1406]

Do you live in Charlotte? If so I can share the name of our past convenience stores. They were top notch. We owned that market. We took pride in the appearance of our sites and were good for the community. The city of Charlotte is ridiculous to deal with when you are not part of their "master plan". Luckily we sold just before the market crashed in 2008. City of Charlotte helped make a great decision.

[telling tiger 156]

No, not in NC. East of you by several hundred miles.

HA....east of you.................no that would be west....lol..

[Guest NC1406]

Doing most of my business in the eastern part of the state these days. Actually gave thought to moving to the coast but just couldn't leave lake Norman yet. Maybe in another year or two.

[telling tiger 156]

Coast is beautiful there.

[Guest NC1406]

No, not in NC. East of you by several hundred miles.

HA....east of you.................no that would be west....lol..

That makes sense. Was scratching my head on being a couple 100 miles east of here.

[telling tiger 156]

I looked back at it and laughed......

Friday mornings are especially early for us, but all days start early.