The organizer of what is reportedly the largest convention in Indianapolis is threatening to relocate if Indiana Gov. Mike Pence (R) signs a controversial religious freedom bill, the Indianapolis Star is reporting.
The bill, which has already passed the state legislature and is expected to be signed by Pence soon, protects business owners from having to serve same-sex couples if they have religious objections.
The convention, Gen Con — which bills itself as the “largest consumer hobby, fantasy, science fiction and adventure game convention in North America” — has been held in Indianapolis since 2003. It hosts more than 50,000 attendees, and according to the Star, is Indianapolis’ “largest convention in attendance and economic impact.”
“Legislation that could allow for refusal of service or discrimination against our attendees will have a direct negative impact on the state’s economy, and will factor into our decision-making on hosting the convention in the state of Indiana in future years,” Adrian Swartout wrote in the letter to Pence dated Monday.
Gen Con may not leave Indiana immediately. The Star reports:
Gen Con is under contract to hold the conference in Indianapolis through 2020. Conference spokeswoman Stacia Kirby said there are no plans to break the contract. But the state’s adoption of the measure would factor into future decisions, she said.
The Gen Con letter to Pence concludes with a line in all bold that says “We ask that you please reconsider your support of SB 101.”
Pence’s office said he was unmoved.
“The Governor has been clear on where he stands on this issue and we don’t have anything to add at this time,” Pence spokeswoman Kara Brooks said according to the Indianapolis Star.
Read the letter below:
Governor Pence responded, “We’d rather hate homos than improve our state’s economy.”
Hold it somewhere close to Vermont! I would love to attend!
Money talks, bullshit walks.
One of the detriments associated with a free market system, bitches.
Bravo GenCon but expecting sense from Pence…now that’s fantasy and science fiction.
Gen Con issues empty threat - dick head puss bag governor laughs - PULL ON YOUR GIANT METAL BALLS GenCon and do the right thing and tear up the contract !!!