GenCon May Not Come to Indiana due to New Discriminatory Bill

Recently the Indiana legislature passed Senate Bill 101, more commonly known as the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA). One controversial aspect of this bill is that it allows businesses and professionals to refuse service to people based on the customer’s religious beliefs. For example, businesses would be allowed to refuse service to people who are LGBT or, like this guy, refuse to anesthetize a woman who is having an abortion.

The bill is due to cross Indiana Governor Mike Pence’s desk soon, and he has indicated that he has every intention of signing it. This does not sit will with many of Indiana’s residents.

It also appears that Adrian Swartout, CEO/Owner of GenCon LLC, is not happy about the proposed legislation either. In a letter dated March 23, 2015, she wrote, “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.” She also emphasized the economic impact that Gen Con has on the city of Indianapolis (usually somewhere around $50 million).

She ended the letter by stating, “Legislation that could allow for refusal of services or discrimination of our attendees… will factor into our decision-making on hosting the convention in the state of Indiana in future years.”

If you would like to contact Governor Pence and let him know how you feel about this legislation, feel free to contact him here.

Billy Whitehouse

Billy is a freelance writer living in Indianapolis with his dog, BoJack. He enjoys TED talks, video games, sunny days, football, and the salty tears of his enemies.