Boston's city council bans official travel to North Carolina

BOSTON (AP) — Boston is banning city travel to North Carolina in response to a new state law that critics say discriminates against gay and transgender people.

The Boston Globe reports that Boston's city council approved a measure this week prohibiting taxpayer-funded travel to North Carolina. It joins a growing list of cities and states that have restricted official travel to the Tar Heel State, including New York, Connecticut and the District of Columbia.

Republican North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory signed a law March 23 that requires transgender people to use public restroom facilities that correspond with their gender at birth. It also excludes lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people from statewide protections against discrimination.

Boston City Councilor Josh Zakim said he felt compelled to stand up for diversity, inclusion and antidiscrimination.

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.