Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced an executive order Thursday banning official state travel to North Carolina, joining a growing list of public officials and corporations to condemn that state’s passage of a law hostile to the gay and transgender communities.

“When we see discrimination and injustice, we have to act.  This law is not just wrong, it poses a public safety risk to Connecticut residents traveling through North Carolina,” Malloy said. “That’s why I have signed an executive order banning state-funded travel to the state.”

The law blocks cities from passing anti-discrimination ordinances that protect people on basis of sexual orientation or identification. It also bars transgender individuals from using public bathrooms on the basis of their gender identity.

 “Nearly two decades ago, Connecticut was among the first states to pass a comprehensive anti-discrimination law concerning sexual orientation, and three years ago I proudly signed a law adding gender identity and expression to those statutes,” Malloy said. “We need to do what we can to stand up and act against laws that encourage – as a matter of public policy – discrimination and endangerment of our citizenry. It’s unacceptable, and Connecticut is acting.”