Backlash grows over North Carolina LGBT discrimination law

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — An economic backlash broadened Tuesday against a North Carolina law that critics say discriminates against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people with PayPal announcing it has canceled a major expansion in the state.

North Carolina has come under heavy criticism since Gov. Pat McCrory signed the law, requiring transgender people to use public bathrooms that match the sex on their birth certificates.

The law, passed in response to a Charlotte ordinance that offered protections to gay and transgender people, also excludes sexual orientation and gender identity from the state's anti-discrimination law and bars local governments from expanding anti-discrimination rules.

PayPal's announcement came days after Lionsgate decided to move the filming for the pilot episode of a comedy series to Canada.

[...] PayPal's decision isn't likely to lead to a wave of businesses fleeing the state, said Ryan McDevitt, a Duke University professor who studies how companies compete.

Technology companies are particularly outspoken on social issues because they need to attract highly skilled and mobile employees while also appealing to younger customers, he said.