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Here’s what trans people are saying about North Carolina’s anti-LGBT bill

Nation Mar 25, 2016 1:01 PM EDT

Days after North Carolina passed a bill that has been called the most anti-LGBT law in the U.S., members of the transgender community and their allies are not staying silent.

House Bill 2, the law that was passed 12 hours after its introduction to the public, prevents cities from passing LGBT protections laws and requires transgender people to use bathrooms that correspond to the gender they were assigned at birth.

These so-called “bathroom bills,” LGBT advocates say, completely miss the point by focusing public attention on transgender people’s bodies instead of other daily risks they face and legal protections they still lack. Model and activist Janet Mock, along with BuzzFeed reporter Meredith Talusan, pointed this out on Twitter.

But let's make trans people the villains and push them out of restrooms, give them just one more space that they can't access, shall we?

— Janet Mock (@janetmock) March 24, 2016

Already, so many trans people can’t use gendered public restrooms at all because we’re vulnerable whichever one we’re in. (4) #hb2

— Meredith Talusan❄️ (@1demerith) March 24, 2016

And restrooms are just the tip of the iceberg in terms of how we’re systematically discriminated against and dehumanized. (5) #hb2

— Meredith Talusan❄️ (@1demerith) March 24, 2016

Several people tweeted pictures of themselves to North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory, asking him if they should use a bathroom that does not match their gender.

@PatMcCroryNC It's now the law for me to share a restroom with your wife. #HB2 #trans #NorthCarolina #shameonNC pic.twitter.com/4b4OdmfmeN

— JamesParkerSheffield (@JayShef) March 24, 2016

@JayShef @PatMcCroryNC And it's the law for me to go in the men's room with you, governor. pic.twitter.com/HNdEBC2W4i

— DragoncatLily (@DiracDrynx) March 24, 2016

Advocates have spoken out to say they fear the bill will only serve to dehumanize transgender people. To date, 18 states and the District of Columbia have laws that explicitly prohibit discrimination against people based on their gender identity, and those laws vary in terms of what they address between employment, housing and public accommodations.

bathroom bills like those passed in nc + gaining traction in tn & wa prevent trans/intersex/gnc folks from leaving the house without shame

— hari nef (@harinef) March 24, 2016

Trans athletes also suffer under #HB2. Students/families in North Carolina: if you need support, reach out to https://t.co/x5j6sEo4xM.

— The Chris Mosier (@TheChrisMosier) March 24, 2016

Others questioned whether the bill will stay in effect for long. The ACLU, Lambda Legal and Equality NC are considering legal challenges to the bill.

As disheartening as it is, I don't see how these bills can stay on the books. It's a moment of hypocritical grandstanding for fearmongering.

— Jen Richards (@SmartAssJen) March 24, 2016

#GOP talks so much about fiscal responsibility, but throwing away TONS of money to prevent Americans from peeing is responsible? #KeepNCFair

— Angelica Ross (@angelicaross) March 24, 2016

Stay strong. This law is clearly unconstitutional and will not survive a court challenge. Let's let this mobilize us https://t.co/OrO1mZcAg5

— Laverne Cox (@Lavernecox) March 24, 2016

Mara Keisling of Natl Center for Transgender Equality: "Please understand that this is not over." pic.twitter.com/6FsVOnz7Ao

— ACLU-North Carolina (@ACLU_NC) March 24, 2016

For some, including agender, genderqueer and nonbinary people, this debate — which focuses on “male” vs. “female” restrooms — leaves out their own gender identity.