Rivals for NC's No. 2 executive job debate LGBT law, schools

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Lt. Gov. Dan Forest and challenger Linda Coleman tied themselves tightly to the positions dug out by their respective parties on education funding, House Bill 2 and other issues in what could be their only head-to-head debate before Election Day.

The former state legislator and personnel director under former Democratic Gov. Bev Perdue has advocated for public employees and expanding social support services to the poor.

Forest has been a leader in defending the law, which requires transgender people to use restrooms in schools and state government buildings that correspond to the gender on their birth certificate.

Forest used his role as president of the state Senate to call a special legislative session in March to block a Charlotte city ordinance expanding protections at public accommodations for lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender people.

The lieutenant governor also participates on the state boards overseeing the statewide community college system and the public schools that educate 1.5 million children.

Many religious schools participate in the voucher program, meaning that taxpayer money is sent to schools that may reject students of unaligned faiths or who have LGBT parents.