Popular Gaming Convention Threatens to Leave Indiana if Religious Freedom Bill Passes
A popular gaming convention in Indiana has threatened to move its annual event out-of-state if the state's governor approves a piece of legislation that protects the religious freedom of local business owners and residents.
The bill, entitled Senate Bill 101, would prevent local governments and state governments from "substantially burdening" a person's free exercise of their religious beliefs. Supporters of the bill argue that such legislation in necessary in protecting the religious freedoms of Indiana residents, while opponents argue the bill gives local business owners license to discriminate against same-sex couples seeking wedding services, such as floral arrangements or bakery services.
The bill arrived on the desk of Indiana Gov. Mike Pence this week, and the governor has indicated his plans to sign the legislation.
Adrian Swartout, owner and CEO of Gen Con LLC, a large gaming convention that attracts 56,000 participants in Indianapolis every year, recently issued a letter to the governor imploring him not to sign the bill. The letter adds that the convention may move to a different state after its contract expires in 2020, should the legislation be approved.
"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," Swartout wrote in the letter, as reported by the Indianopolis Star.
Gov. Pence has stood by his decision to sign the bill into law, saying in a statement after the bill's House passage that the purpose of the legislation is to protect religious freedom.
"The legislation, SB 101, is about respecting and reassuring Hoosiers that their religious freedoms are intact. I strongly support the legislation and applaud the members of the General Assembly for their work on this important issue. I look forward to signing the bill when it reaches my desk," Pence said in a statement.
