Background to North Carolina House Bill 2
On March 24, 2016, the North Carolina legislature introduced and passed, and Governor Pat McCrory signed into law House Bill 2 (HB2), the Public Facilities Privacy & Security Act. This bill puts in place a statewide policy that bans individuals from using public bathrooms that do not correspond to their biological sex. The bill revoked a Charlotte city ordinance allowing transgender people to use the bathroom of their choice. The bill also reserves the right to pass nondiscrimination legislation to the state government, saying state laws preempt any local ordinances. Since passage of the bill, many organizations and companies have expressed concern and some of them have decided to boycott the state of North Carolina. Other organizations and companies have expressed support for the bill. Since the 2017 CBRS Meeting will be held in Charlotte, NC, the following is a statement of the position of the CBRS.
On March 24, 2016, the North Carolina legislature introduced and passed, and Governor Pat McCrory signed into law House Bill 2 (HB2), the Public Facilities Privacy & Security Act. This bill puts in place a statewide policy that bans individuals from using public bathrooms that do not correspond to their biological sex. The bill revoked a Charlotte city ordinance allowing transgender people to use the bathroom of their choice. The bill also reserves the right to pass nondiscrimination legislation to the state government, saying state laws preempt any local ordinances. Since passage of the bill, many organizations and companies have expressed concern and some of them have decided to boycott the state of North Carolina. Other organizations and companies have expressed support for the bill. Since the 2017 CBRS Meeting will be held in Charlotte, NC, the following is a statement of the position of the CBRS.

A MESSAGE FROM THE CBRS OFFICERS
Dear CBRS Colleagues,
Some members within the CBRS community have expressed concerns about the selection of Charlotte, North Carolina, USA for the upcoming 8th Biennial Meeting in April of 2017. These reservations are directly related to recent political events that involve the passing of certain laws and how these laws relate to the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) community.
The CBRS Constitution states that we are established primarily as a scientific and educational society which allows us status as a 501(c)3 charitable organization under the United States Internal Revenue Service code (IRS, see https://www.irs.gov/Charities-&-Non-Profits/Charitable-Organizations/Exemption-Requirements-Section-501(c)(3)-Organizations). We are thus, purposely, and by law, an apolitical organization. As such, attempts to influence legislation, as would be demonstrated by canceling our contract with the present venue, are prohibited by the IRS and by the CBRS Constitution under Article 10, par. 1, 3 and 4 and would jeopardize our status as a tax-exempt 501(c)3 organization.
Please understand that the decision on a venue for this meeting was made, and a contract signed, with the Omni Charlotte Hotel in August 2015, well in advance of the recent political events in North Carolina. If we were to cancel the contract now, CBRS would be obligated to pay a substantial financial penalty.
We wish to reaffirm that membership in CBRS is open and participation is encouraged by all in the chlamydia scientific community, irrespective of nationality, ethnicity, gender/gender identity, religious, political or other affiliations. The Officers of the CBRS support and embrace diversity and are likewise committed to providing an open and inviting meeting where all investigators, students, and trainees will be welcomed and participation in our Society is strongly encouraged from all members, sponsors, and attendees.
We thank you all for your understanding and look forward to seeing you soon.
Most sincerely,
The Officers of the Chlamydia Basic Research Society
A MESSAGE FROM THE CBRS OFFICERS
Dear CBRS Colleagues,
Some members within the CBRS community have expressed concerns about the selection of Charlotte, North Carolina, USA for the upcoming 8th Biennial Meeting in April of 2017. These reservations are directly related to recent political events that involve the passing of certain laws and how these laws relate to the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) community.
The CBRS Constitution states that we are established primarily as a scientific and educational society which allows us status as a 501(c)3 charitable organization under the United States Internal Revenue Service code (IRS, see https://www.irs.gov/Charities-&-Non-Profits/Charitable-Organizations/Exemption-Requirements-Section-501(c)(3)-Organizations). We are thus, purposely, and by law, an apolitical organization. As such, attempts to influence legislation, as would be demonstrated by canceling our contract with the present venue, are prohibited by the IRS and by the CBRS Constitution under Article 10, par. 1, 3 and 4 and would jeopardize our status as a tax-exempt 501(c)3 organization.
Please understand that the decision on a venue for this meeting was made, and a contract signed, with the Omni Charlotte Hotel in August 2015, well in advance of the recent political events in North Carolina. If we were to cancel the contract now, CBRS would be obligated to pay a substantial financial penalty.
We wish to reaffirm that membership in CBRS is open and participation is encouraged by all in the chlamydia scientific community, irrespective of nationality, ethnicity, gender/gender identity, religious, political or other affiliations. The Officers of the CBRS support and embrace diversity and are likewise committed to providing an open and inviting meeting where all investigators, students, and trainees will be welcomed and participation in our Society is strongly encouraged from all members, sponsors, and attendees.
We thank you all for your understanding and look forward to seeing you soon.
Most sincerely,
The Officers of the Chlamydia Basic Research Society