North Carolina sues Justice Department over transgender bathroom law

North Carolina filed a lawsuit against the Department of Justice on Monday to defend a state law that prevents members of the transgender community from using bathrooms that correspond with their gender identity.

The lawsuit comes a week after the Justice Department sent a letter to the state saying that the law violates the Civil Rights Act. The department gave North Carolina until Monday to "remedy the situation."

Instead, Gov. Pat McCrory dug in his heels, both with the lawsuit and in a speech he made on Monday.

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McCrory indicated that the state had asked for a longer response time to the DOJ's letter.

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The state's lawsuit calls the DOJ's position a "radical reinterpretation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act."

North Carolina's decision to sue is an attempt to fight a backlash against the new law that continues to grow. 

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The CEOs of dozens of major companies across the country -- including Apple, Google, Airbnb, and many others -- signed a letter condemning the law soon after it became legal in March.

CEO Letter by Colin Daileda

Musicians such as Bruce Springsteen have since cancelled performances in the state, which seen a dip in tourism revenue. Charlotte alone has lost around $2.5 million due to cancelled conventions. 

"Some things are more important than a rock show," Springsteen said in a statement announcing the cancellation in April. "This fight against prejudice and bigotry — which is happening as I write — is one of them."

Should North Carolina carry on with its lawsuit, the state could stand to lose millions more in federal government money provided to its universities. 

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