The Amputee Coalition recently released a statement in response to the North Carolina legislature’s passage of the “transgender law,” and how it might affect the organization’s National Conference set to take place in Greensboro June 9-11.
In response to the law’s passage, the organization has reaffirmed its commitment to inclusion, recognizing the rich diversity of the limb loss community, per a media release.
Koury Corporation, owner of the Sheraton Greensboro, has pledged unequivocal support for equal and fair treatment of all people, according to the release. Following discussions with representatives from the Koury Corporation, Susan Stout, Amputee Coalition president & CEO, states in the release that she is satisfied with the company’s commitment to equality and has received assurance that all people attending the conference will be treated with dignity and equality.
“We will do everything we can to make sure everyone who comes to our Conference is treated respectfully, and that there is no discrimination against anyone based upon race, color, national origin, physical challenge, age, gender or sexual orientation,” Stout says, according to the release.
In order to affirm their commitment to inclusion, the Amputee Coalition has now changed the organization’s contracting procedures. A clause will be put in place in all future venue contracts demanding that the Amputee Coalition would be released from any contract should policies be put into place that are contrary to our organization’s values of inclusion.
A spokesperson from the Sheraton Greensboro hotel and conference center explains in the release that they are “very proud of our long-public commitment to the LGBT community, and strive to be the industry benchmark for diversity and inclusion where all associates, guests, customers, partners and community constituents are invited, embraced, valued and respected.”
“As such, hotel and conference center policies prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, as well as other categories, such as color, race, age, national origin, pregnancy, citizenship status, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, disability, physical challenge, religion, creed and genetic information,” the spokesperson adds.
Stout adds in the release that, “After the conversations with the Koury Corporation leadership, we are satisfied that the venue and the businesses in Greensboro, North Carolina, will welcome our entire community with open arms, and will make everyone feel welcome and included in every way. We urge everyone to come and enjoy all of what the conference has to offer.”
[Source: Amputee Coalition]
