North Carolina

Keshet is working with secular LGBTQ+ rights organizations and Jewish organizations to fight for LGBTQ+ equality in North Carolina. Along with Carolina Jews for Justice, local synagogues, and the broader Jewish community, we are working with HRC and Equality North Carolina to mobilize for LGBTQ+ rights as people of faith.

The work to safeguard our Jewish and LGBTQ+ rights has never been more urgent. Now is the chance to contact YOUR lawmakers in North Carolina to advocate for pro-LGBTQ+ bills and fight against bad bills. While LGBTQ+ rights are being attacked federally, our states must uphold protections. The Torah teaches us Lo Taamod Al Dam Reiecha – Do Not Stand By when we see injustice; it’s crucial to speak out about it. This value is clear: Jews must work for a world in which LGBTQ+ people and all people can live in dignity.

Equal rights and basic dignity for LGBTQ+ North Carolinians need to be protected. Judaism teaches us that:

The Jewish value Rachamim – Compassion teaches us to have empathy, especially for those facing discrimination, and to take action because everyone deserves to live safely and in dignity.
Every person is created b’Tzelem Elohim, in the Divine image.
The principle of pikuach nefesh – saving lives – demands that we act to protect LGBTQ+ youth and adults from harm.
Families who advocate for their children’s dignity and safety deserve our full support.

Resources

2026 Bills to Watch

(Information from the Trans Formations Project)

HB 1043: Gender Regulation in Schools (Reject)

This bill seeks the forced outing of trans and nonbinary students in school, requiring schools to alert parents about any changes to their child’s name, gender designation, or identity within school records.

HB 244: Pride Flag Ban (Reject)

This bill attempts to ban the display of all flags other than the US flag, the North Carolina state flag, and municipal flags. This bill would prohibit the public display of identity flags such as the Pride Flag and is an infringement on Freedom of Speech.

HB 519/SB 759: Parents’ Medical Bill of Rights (Reject)

This bill seeks to expand parental access to their child’s medical records, examinations, and treatments, including discussions about gender identity. This bill would allow for the forced outing of LGBTQ+ youth.

SB 516: Trans Bathroom Ban and ID blocker (Reject)

This bill would bar trans people from using unisex restrooms, changing facilities, and sleeping quarters that correspond with their gender identities. It would also define gender as strictly “male” and “female” according to a person’s sex assigned at birth and would prohibit the modification of sex markers on birth certificates and drivers licenses.

HB 595: Parental rights over curriculum and books (Reject)

This bills seeks to further restrict instruction on gender identity, sexual activity, or sexuality by banning these discussions in kindergarten through sixth grade and only allowing them in seventh through twelfth grade with parent permission. This bill also makes it more difficult for schools to add new library and classroom books and allows more opportunities for public objection to these new additions. Additionally, it allows librarians to be charged with crime for “disseminating harmful materials to minors,” which is vague in nature and leaves room up for interpretation.

Pro-LGBTQ+ Laws

Nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ+ parents in adoption and foster care
Nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ+ people in employment and public accommodations
Nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ+ state employees.
However, the state explicitly excludes transition-related healthcare in their state employee health benefits
Anti-bullying law protecting LGBTQ+ students
Conversion therapy ban covering LGBTQ+ youth
Protections against discrimination for LGBTQ+ youth in the child welfare system
State allows for changing of gender marker on driver’s licenses and birth certificates
Transgender Inclusive Health Benefits for State Employees

Anti-LGBTQ+ Laws

No second-parent adoption for unmarried couples or confirmatory adoption
State family leave policies do not include inclusive definitions of spouse/partner/parent/child
No recognition for parents using assisted reproduction
No nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ+ people in housing, jury service, or credit/lending
The state has targeted religious exemption law that permits state and local officials to decline to marry couples of whose marriage they disapprove
No nondiscrimination law protecting LGBTQ+ students
State curriculum not required to be LGBTQ+-inclusive
“Don’t Say Gay” law barring or explicitly restricting educators from discussing LGBTQ people or issues in schools
State Law prevents transgender students from participating in sports consistent with their gender identity
Forced outing of transgender youth in schools
No law providing LGBTQ-inclusive insurance protections
Ban on best practice medical care for transgender youth
No “shield” law or policy protecting access to transgender
No law providing LGBTQ inclusive insurance protections
State Medicaid Policy limiting coverage for transgender people
No hate crimes law protecting LGBTQ+ people
Gay/trans panic defense is not banned
No nondiscrimination law for Jury Service
State criminalizes transmission of HIV
State law requires publication of name change announcement and additional restrictions for individuals with a criminal record.
No gender-neutral options on driver’s license or birth certificates