MGFA Maintains Commitment to Hold Annual Conference in Raleigh, Despite Strong Opposition to North Carolina’s Passage of LGBT House Bill

New York, NY, April 08, 2016 --(PR.com)-- The Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America, the New York-based nonprofit dedicated to raising research funds for and awareness of the neuromuscular disease myasthenia gravis (MG), has announced that its annual national conference planned in Raleigh, North Carolina, on May 1-3, at the Sheraton Raleigh Hotel, will not be impacted, and the organization will keep its commitment to those affected by MG by having the conference as planned, despite the MGFA’s opposition to North Carolina’s House Bill 2, which discriminates against the LGBT community.

House Bill 2, the Public Facilities Privacy & Security Act, puts in place a statewide policy that bans individuals from using public bathrooms that do not correspond to their biological sex. The bill also reserves the right to pass nondiscrimination legislation to the state government, saying state laws preempt any local ordinances.

“As an organization that fully understands the historical deleterious effects of discrimination against the disabled community, we stand in support with all those whose rights are limited by House Bill 2, and are opposed to a law that effectively discriminates against individuals on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity,” said Nancy Law, CEO of the MGFA. “MGFA values diversity and inclusion as stated in its bylaws and policies and procedures, and despite our opposition to the bill, we will keep our commitment, and move on as planned to hold our national conference in Raleigh, and bring together all of our patients, doctors, caregivers and medical personnel from across the globe to continue our united fight to find a cure for MG.”

The MGFA will kick off its national conference on Saturday, April 30, with the North Carolina MG Walk, scheduled at Lake Lynn Park at 4 p.m. Teams of patients, caregivers and family members will be joined by several of the annual conference attendees to walk to raise awareness of MG. Winston-Salem MG patient Cathy Liner will also be honored at the event as the MG North Carolina Walk Hero. Liner, 69, is an MG survivor of 31 years. Following the Walk, the national conference kicks off Monday, May 2, combining the Foundation's annual business meeting with the opportunity for patients and their families to learn more about the disease and its treatment, current research, and tips to learn 'how to live' with MG from experienced medical professionals and fellow patients.

About the MGFA (myasthenia.org): The Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA) is dedicated solely to the fight against myasthenia gravis, raising research funds to find a cure and raising awareness of the neuromuscular disease. Myasthenia gravis (pronounced My-as-theen-ee-a Grav-us) comes from the Greek and Latin words meaning "grave muscular weakness." The most common form of MG is a chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disorder that is characterized by fluctuating weakness of the voluntary muscle groups.