Thank you, N.C. lawmakers, for not backing down on HB2

Thank you for not backing down on HB2

To the N.C. lawmakers who bravely voted for HB2: Thank you.

Thank you for not only your courage to pass HB2, but for your courage in the face of the loud minority.

Like a slow drip, the radical left, determined to change this country for the worst, has had its way.

Thank you lawmakers for finally saying no.

Thank you for not allowing an overbearing federal government to bully you into backing down.

Thank you for not allowing corporations more concerned about profits than God’s desire, to push you around.

Christopher Gray, Waxhaw

I won’t bring my grandchild to N.C.

I am an Ohio resident who happens to be the grandmother of a transgender grandchild.

My granddaughter is 7 years old and has identified as female since age 2. She looks, acts and dresses like any 7-year-old girl.

My plan this summer was to travel with her to North Carolina, including Asheville and other areas.

Am I supposed to accompany her into the men’s bathroom? Is their stall any different from a women’s bathroom? She expects the same level of privacy as does anyone else.

So, until HB2 is repealed my family and I will not travel to North Carolina. I would never expose my loved ones to such discrimination.

Sandy Green, University Heights, Ohio

Dog comparison on HB2 was atrocious

In response to “What if daughter thinks she is a dog?” (May 17 Forum):

I was incensed by Forum writer Chuck Robinson’s hateful letter.

It is obvious that he has no understanding, nor does he even want to try, of the suffering and difficulties these children and their parents live with everyday!

To compare these children to dogs and to ignore all of the emotions and feelings that go with being transgender is vile!

These parents love their children and are trying to do what is best for them.

Jeanie Anderson, Charlotte

Bullying won’t increase arts giving

In response to “Wealthy are hurting the arts in Charlotte” (May 18 Opinion):

Perhaps Chris McLeod’s op-ed column was edited for brevity? No place did I see thank you for giving.

Most donors, regardless of their financial means, give according to their passion, heart, observed needs, and trust in the individual asking for support. Rarely have I witnessed donors responding to bullying, ridicule or pressure to increase their giving.

Charlotte’s wealthy, and not so wealthy, which includes many of our friends from up North, have enhanced the arts community here beyond recognition from even a decade ago.

Yes, Giving Matters – and every little bit helps.

Joan Zimmerman, Charlotte

Japan-related stops Obama should make

In response to “Obama to pay historic visit to Hiroshima” (May 11):

On his way to visit Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the memorials to Imperial Japan’s hegemony in the Western Pacific, I suggest President Obama first stop at a few islands like Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima.

Only then will he be qualified with a proper appreciation for why atomic weapons were used to end the war in the Pacific.

Bill Crowder, Charlotte

U.S. level of foreign aid not impressive

In response to “Americans stupid? Don’t take our cash” (May 17 Forum):

Forum writer Ed Garland asks an interesting question: What other country gives as much foreign aid as Americans do?

Answer: Relative to national income, our level of giving is not impressive.

In 2015, our developmental foreign aid budget was just 0.17 percent of national income, trailing 21 other countries, including nearly all of Europe, plus Canada, Australia, Japan, the UAE, and Turkey.

Sweden’s generosity, amounting to 1.4 percent of national income, was over eight times as high!

Daniel Hoffman, Charlotte

Fee for carry-on bags is no deterrent

In response to “To speed TSA lines, charge for carry-ons” (May 18 Forum):

Charging for carry-on vs. checked luggage won’t work. Most people carry on so they can avoid waiting for checked luggage and so they know that they have their stuff, rather than it getting lost!

Convenience trumps $$.

Peter Augusta, Charlotte

This story was originally published May 18, 2016 at 3:13 PM with the headline "Thank you, N.C. lawmakers, for not backing down on HB2."