'Anti-gay' bill passed in North Carolina ======================================== !['Anti-gay' bill passed in North Carolina](https://vardags.com/images/pictures/_360/8d94e2036d185de7d0dc9a4fe6c2d5c3.jpeg)While gay marriage is now legal in the United States, the battle for LGBTQ rights still rages. In some states, gay rights are even losing ground. North Carolina has just passed a bill preventing LGBTQ discrimination from being banned. The bill also overturned any existing anti-discrimination ordinances statewide. This means that businesses and religious organisations will be free to refuse wedding services to gay couples, despite their right to marry. Not only is this discrimination legal, is would be illegal to try to stop it. The new law also targets transgender people by banning those in North Carolina from using washrooms that do not correspond to their biological sex. The bill was passed quickly, and with overwhelming support. State Senate Democratic leader, Dan Blue, said the law "essentially repeals fifty years of non-discrimination efforts", and "would be the single most discriminatory act in the country. This is a direct affront to equality, civil rights, and local autonomy". This apparent anti-LGBTQ behaviour is not an isolated incident. Earlier this month a [Missouri bill](https://vardags.com/family-law/anti-gay-bill-missouri), which aims to ban the state from reprimanding those who refuse wedding services to same-sex couples, progressed despite a 39-hour filibuster. The majority of states lack civil rights laws that specifically protect gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender people, reports *[Vox](https://www.vox.com/2015/4/22/8465027/lgbt-nondiscrimination-laws)*. In such states, people can legally be fired or refused services (including lodging and wedding services) because of their sexual orientation. While gay marriage was a central issue in the 2012 presidential elections, LGBTQ rights have gone largely unnoticed by the current presidential candidates. Hopefully the country's new leader will admit that marriage equality is not enough if wedding services and other essentials can still be withheld based on sexual orientation. For marriage to be truly equal in the United States, there is still work to be done. Vardags' team of [top divorce lawyers serving LGBTQ+ clients](https://vardags.com/team/specialist-divorce-lawyers/lgbt-clients) delivers a bespoke legal service to HNW and UHNW individuals, their families, and businesses. "Ayesha Vardag - Britain's top divorce lawyer." ![The Huffington Post](https://vardags.com/images/logo/huffpost.png) "Ayesha Vardag - Woman of the Year"![GG2](https://vardags.com/images/logo/gg2-3.png) "Leading, Magic Circle law firm."Mr Justice Coleridge "A handful of firms dominate the so-called 'glamour' end of the market ... Vardags"The Times "One of the best divorce lawyers in the country"Marie Claire "Ayesha Vardag - 'diva of divorce' for the world's super rich" ![BBC](https://vardags.com/images/logo/bbc.png) "Dr Stephen Bence is a financial genius."Lewis Marks KC "Ayesha Vardag - the Queen of divorce"Daily Mail "Vardags brilliantly argued my case to a resounding victory"Pauline Chai (client) "Britain's top divorce lawyer" ![The Telegraph](https://vardags.com/images/logo/telegraph.png) More Divorce news ----------------- [Add-back: compensating for financial misconduct](https://vardags.com/family-law/compensating-for-financial-misconduct "Add-back: compensating for financial misconduct") [Drew Barrymore and Will Kopelman announce divorce](https://vardags.com/family-law/drew-barrymore-divorce "Drew Barrymore and Will Kopelman announce divorce") ['Anti-gay' bill passed in North Carolina](https://vardags.com/family-law/anti-gay-bill-passed-in-north-carolina "'Anti-gay' bill passed in North Carolina") [Taiwanese actor required to remarry and re-divorce before tying the knot with a new bride](https://vardags.com/family-law/taiwanese-actor-remarry-re-divorce "Taiwanese actor required to remarry and re-divorce before tying the knot with a new bride") [Less support for divorce than over a decade ago, US study shows](https://vardags.com/family-law/study-attitudes-towards-divorce "Less support for divorce than over a decade ago, US study shows")