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The American Physical Society scrapped plans to hold an upcoming conference in North Carolina, due to a new state law mandating that people use public restrooms matching the gender they were assigned at birth. The rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender physicists are an increasing area of focus for the society, and the Division of Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics decided that holding its 2018 annual meeting in Charlotte was no longer safe or appropriate.
“The situation in North Carolina is untenable for trans physicists who would not only be at risk when making use of restroom facilities in conference venues but also at airports, hotel lobbies, restaurants and other establishments in the course of their visit to North Carolina,” Michael Falk, a professor of engineering and physics at Johns Hopkins University who chaired a recent society climate report concerning LGBT physicists, said in a statement. The society estimates the move will cost the Charlotte economy $5 million.
The U.S. Justice Department has warned North Carolina that the bathroom law, adopted in March, puts it out compliance with federal laws governing access to education. Some state lawmakers have since said they’ll fight federal intervention.
