Governor appoints LGBT leader Chris Sgro to North Carolina House

Raleigh, N.C. (AP) — The leader of gay-rights group Equality North Carolina is now a North Carolina House member days before the General Assembly reconvenes with a new law addressing LGBT anti-discrimination ordinances a likely topic.

Gov. Pat McCrory appointed Chris Sgro of Greensboro on Thursday. State law obligated the governor to appoint Sgro, the choice of Guilford County Democrats to fill the unexpired term of the late Rep. Ralph Johnson.

Sgro has said his top priority will be repealing the law signed by McCrory that limits anti-discrimination protections for lesbian, gay and transgender people. Republicans have framed the legislation as a safety issue that will ensure people use the bathroom aligned with their biological sex.

The new General Assembly begins April 25. Sgro's term will end at the end of the year.

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The Gayly – April 15, 2016 @ 7:10 a.m.