North Carolina on Wednesday passed a sweeping law overturning gay and transgender protections at the local level and requiring students to use restrooms that correspond to the sex listed on their birth certificates.

The measure was introduced Wednesday morning as part of a hastily called special session, passed both chambers later in the day and was signed by Gov. Pat McCrory (R) that evening. In a statement, McCrory said legislative action was necessary to prevent local governments from enacting nondiscrimination ordinances that overstep their authority in a way that might allow “a man to use a woman’s bathroom, shower or locker room.”