The North Carolina General Assembly is on the verge of overturning Governor Josh Stein’s vetoes of four dangerous bills—bills that would dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and target the rights of transgender people.

These vetoes were an act of courage. The bills would erase DEI efforts in schools and state agencies, punish public servants for promoting fairness, and block gender-affirming care for incarcerated people. They even demand that transgender people’s new birth certificates be linked to their old ones—undermining their privacy and safety.

Supporters of the bills say they’re about “parental rights” and “biological reality,” but we see through the rhetoric. These laws marginalize the most vulnerable among us—students, LGBTQ+ people, and communities of color—and inflame culture wars instead of solving real problems.

Governor Stein did the right thing. Now we must hold the line.

Republicans are just one vote away from overriding his vetoes. If we stay silent, these harmful laws could become reality. But if enough of us speak up—right now—we can show lawmakers that North Carolinians want justice, not division.

Add your name to demand the General Assembly let the vetoes stand. North Carolina’s future should include everyone.

[Photo Credit Leah Millis, File]