RALEIGH, (SGRToday.com) - The U.S. Department of Justice has told the state of North Carolina that House Bill 2 is discriminatory, violating Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

A letter to Gov. Pat McCrory from Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta said the state is "engaging in a pattern or practice of discrimination against trangender state employees and both you, in your official capacity, and the State are engaging in a pattern or practice of resistance to the full enjoyment of Title VII rights by transfender employees of public agencies."

Gov. McCrory's office issued the following statement.

“A claim by the Obama administration charges that one part of House Bill 2, which requires state employees in public government buildings and students in our universities to use a restroom, locker room and shower facility that match their biological sex, is now in violation of federal law. The Obama administration has not only staked out its position for North Carolina, but for all states, universities and most employers in the U.S.
 
“The right and expectation of privacy in one of the most private areas of our personal lives is now in jeopardy. We will be reviewing to determine the next steps.”