Mayor Paul Soglin, in opposition to recently enacted discriminatory LGBTQ+ laws, prohibited city staff from traveling to North Carolina Monday.

Soglin restricted travel after North Carolina passed legislation, referred to as “bathroom” laws, in March. The laws prohibit individuals in North Carolina from using restrooms that do not match the gender on their birth certificates.

“This is not new for the city of Madison, we have taken similar action in the past,” Soglin said.

Madison banned employees from traveling to Georgia in 1978 because of the pending adoption of the equal rights amendment. In 1991, Madison restricted travel to Colorado because of “harsh” actions regarding gay rights, Soglin said.

Soglin said North Carolina has adopted “very discriminatory and oppressive language” in the new legislation. Soglin’s ban on travel adds Madison to a growing list of entities boycotting North Carolina, including Dane County as a whole.

County executive takes stand against states with anti-LGBTQ laws

“We are not going to be part of [North Carolina’s actions],” Soglin said.

The only exception to this ban is if the city has a contractual obligation to go to the state, Soglin said.

Because of recent legislation passed in Mississippi that allows businesses and faith-based groups to deny housing and jobs based on sexual orientation, Madison may boycott Mississippi next, Soglin said.