Ballard: 'Religious freedom' bill may hurt state's image, city's convention business

As Gov. Mike Pence prepares Thursday to sign controversial religious freedom legislation into law, Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard is raising concerns that the measure could hurt the city's lucrative convention business and tarnish the state's image as a welcoming place.

Ballard, a Republican, said the measure sends the "wrong signal" about the city and state. Opponents fear it could allow business owners to refuse services to same-sex couples.

"Indianapolis strives to be a welcoming place that attracts businesses, conventions, visitors and residents," Ballard said Wednesday in a statement. "We are a diverse city, and I want everyone who visits and lives in Indy to feel comfortable here."

Undeterred, Pence plans to sign the bill into law in a private ceremony today. The Republican governor and other supporters say the measure would protect people and business owners with strong religious beliefs from government intrusion.

Ballard's concerns have been somewhat borne out in recent days as three conventions have threatened to pull out of Indianapolis if Pence signs the measure. But just how significant or long-term that fallout would be is difficult to tell.

While 19 other states have gradually adopted similar laws since 1993, furor over such measures has cropped up in just the past two years as the issue became tied to the debate over gay marriage.

Supporters of the religious freedom bill discount notions of huge convention losses. They say conventions that leave Indiana would find some difficulty finding a large convention center in a state without a similar law.

Seven of the 10 largest convention centers are in six states with a similar law or provision in its constitution: Illinois, Ohio, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana and Texas.

Last year, the issue drew scrutiny in Arizona when the state legislature attempted to broaden its existing religious freedom law. Republican Gov. Jan Brewer vetoed the measure after gay rights groups, convention planners and others raised objections or threatened to pull out of the state.

In Indianapolis, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) sent a letter to Pence on Wednesday threatening to cancel its 2017 convention in Indy if he signs the measure into law.

"Our perspective is that hate and bigotry wrapped in religious freedom is still hate and bigotry," Todd Adams, the associate general minister and vice president of the Indianapolis-based denomination, told The Indianapolis Star.

Adams said the Disciples of Christ would instead seek a host city that is "hospitable and welcome to all of our attendees."

The Disciples of Christ has held its annual convention in Indianapolis three times since 1989. Adams expected about 8,000 to attend in 2017. VisitIndy estimated the economic impact at $5.9 million.

The church is one of three conventions to threaten to leave Indy. Gen Con, the city's largest annual convention with 56,000 attendees and a $50 million annual economic impact, also sent a letter to Pence threatening to leave if he signs the bill.

Chris Gahl, spokesman for VisitIndy, said the organizers of an annual music event also have threatened to leave if Pence signs the legislation. Gahl declined to disclose the name, saying the organizers haven't gone public yet.

VisitIndy joined major employers such as Salesforce Marketing Group, Eli Lilly and Co and the Indy Chamber in opposition to the legislation.

Other conventions have concerns, including Indianapolis-based Kiwanis International. The organization will draw 10,000 people to celebrate its 100th anniversary at a convention this June in Indianapolis.

"We have received inquiries from members asking if any of our international guests (of varying religions) might be denied service in Indianapolis. This is attention our city does not need," said Kiwanis International Executive Director Stan D. Soderstrom.

Micah Clark of the American Family Association of Indiana pushed for the measure in Indiana. He discounts the idea of substantial financial fallout.

"I just don't see how this prevents conventions from coming here," Clark said. Popular convention cities such as Chicago, Orlando, Phoenix and New Orleans are located in states with similar (religious freedom) laws in effect, and there's no outcry by convention organizers to pull out of those locations, he said.

Tourism officials from those convention centers did not return calls for comment about the impact of such laws on their conventions.

Daniel O. Conkle, a law professor at Maurer School of Law at Indiana University, said the law that has passed the Indiana legislature differs from similar laws in some other states by extending religious protections to businesses, not just individuals.

The impact of such laws is unclear. Conkle said he knows of only a few lawsuits alleging discrimination against a religious objector in states with similar laws. He said all of those lawsuits have been decided in favor of the person claiming discrimination, not the religious objector claiming RFRA protections.

"The idea this law is somehow a license to discriminate is simply not the case," Conkle said.

Star reporters Tony Cook and Brian Eason contributed to this story. Call Star reporter Chris Sikich at (317) 444-6036. Follow him on Twitter: @ChrisSikich.

Private signing

Gov. Mike Pence plans to sign controversial religious freedom legislation in a private ceremony Thursday.

Spokeswoman Kara Brooks said a specific time has not been set. The ceremony will be closed to the press and the public, she said.

Asked why the ceremony would be private, Brooks said there was "no particular reason."

"Some (bill signings) are public; some are private," she said. "Don't read into it any more or less."

— Tony Cook