Gaming convention threatens to abandon Indiana if anti-gay bill passes

[Administrator]

Gaming convention Gen Con, a public expo that brought in 56,000 attendees last year, is threatening to leave its usual local of the Indiana if a discriminatory bill passes that allows business owners to refuse service to same-sex couples.
State Bill 101, dubbed the "religious freedom" bill, is very close to becoming a law and it could very well cause Gen Con to search for a new home. "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," said Gen Con CEO Adrian Swartout in an open letter to Republican Governor Mike Pence (via Twitter).
"Last year, Gen Con hosted more than 56,000 attendees from more than 40 different countries and all 50 states," Swartout explained. "Gen Con proudly welcomes a diverse attendee base, made up of different ethnicities, cultures, beliefs, sexual orientations, gender identities, abilities, and socio-economic backgrounds. We are happy to provide an environment that welcomes all, and the wide-ranging diversity of our attendees has become a key element to the success and growth of our convention."
Read more…


More...