Dear Governor McCrory,

I am writing this letter to urge you to repeal the HB2 bill that reverses the protection of LGBT persons in North Carolina.

As a white, cis-gendered man in America, you are a member of the most privileged group in this country. It is for this reason that I do not blame you for supporting this bill. I can understand your lack of empathy. The same goes for the representatives who supported this bill. You can't possibly understand what it feels like to be assigned the wrong gender, never feeling like you belong in your body. This alienation is beyond your comprehension. The fear that your government won't protect you is not something you live with. I do not want you to face these challenges. No one deserves them. I just ask you to try to sympathize with people who have no choice.

I am writing this letter to you because I want to let you know that this bill is unacceptable. I am a woman, I have a younger sister, and I have no problem with a trans-woman using the same bathroom as I do. She has every right. Yes, she, not he. If you have record of instances where a man has pretended to be a woman to assault women in their restroom, please let me know. I have not heard any stories of a trans-woman assaulting women in a women's restroom, but I am certain that she will face harassment in a men's restroom. I would not like to cause harm to an innocent human being. I am hopeful that neither would you.

The government of NC is supposed to be a representation of its citizens. I am ashamed to be a part of a government that takes measures to hurt its citizens, out of baseless fears and insecurities. As a citizen of North Carolina, I do not support this government. I will do everything in my power to vote against politicians who perpetuate discrimination. The 21st century has no place for this limited mindset.

Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to read this letter. I have no doubt that you are a good person, which is why I am writing this letter to appeal to your better nature. No one in the past has been remembered for their discrimination laws. I am sure you would not like to be remembered as the governer who introduced one of the worst laws for LGBT rights in the country.

Sincerely,

Anisha Tyagi