RFRA: Boycotts, bans and a growing backlash

The opposition to Indiana's Religious Freedom Restoration Act includes a growing number of canceled conventions, speeches and concerts. It includes Indiana travel bans from cities and states. It includes statements from corporate leaders inside and outside Indiana. And it includes sports organizations and state universities.

Here's a look at some of the backlash Indiana has already felt.

Not on Angie's List: An Indy expansion

Angie's List canceled its proposal for a $40 million headquarters expansion that promised to bring 1,000 jobs to Indianapolis. The expansion, which would have used $18 million in state and city aid, would have anchored the redevelopment of a long-struggling neighborhood on the city's Near Eastside.

The announcement carried additional weight because Angie's List CEO Bill Oesterle is a Republican who managed the campaign of former Gov. Mitch Daniels.

An exodus of the Disciples

The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) said Wednesday it would be pulling its 2017 national convention from Indianapolis, a blow that could cost the city 8,000 visitors and $5.9 million in lost spending.

The decision by the church's board comes even though the denomination's headquarters is in Indianapolis.

"We are a church that values diversity and values freedom of religion," said Cherilyn Williams, a spokeswoman for the church. "For us ... (that) cannot impede the freedom of others."

Women of labor work for a new destination

AFSCME, a labor union representing state, county and municipal employees across the country, said Monday it was moving its annual women's conference, scheduled for the JW Marriott Indianapolis in October.

"This un-American law allowing business to refuse service to gay and lesbian customers sets Indiana and our nation back decades in the struggle for civil rights," said AFSCME President Lee Saunders.

The conference would have brought more than 700 attendees from across the country for a three-day event expected to generate $500,000 in spending in Downtown Indianapolis.

Wilco and out

Wilco, a two-time Grammy Award-winning rock band based in Chicago, announced Monday it was canceling its May 7 performance in Indianapolis.

The band, which was to play at the Murat Theatre in Old National Centre, took to Twitter to say the " 'Indiana Religious Freedom Restoration Act' feels like thinly disguised legal discrimination."

A follow-up tweet read, "Hope to get back to the Hoosier State someday soon, when this odious measure is repealed."

Not so funny anymore

Nick Offerman, the comedian most people know as Ron Swanson from "Parks and Recreation," canceled a May appearance in Indianapolis, where he was scheduled to perform with his wife, Megan Mullally. He was scheduled to keep a date Wednesday in Bloomington and donate the proceeds to the Human Rights Campaign.

When the speaker doesn't show

A lecture Thursday at the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law had to be canceled after the featured speaker opted not to come to Indiana for the speech.

Marcia Greenberger, founder and co-president of the National Women's Law Center, was scheduled to speak on Title IX, the law that requires gender equity in federally funded programs for kids. But after passage of the RFRA, Greenberger opted out.

States with travel bans

Connecticut — Gov. Dannel Malloy signed an executive order banning state-funded travel to Indiana. "When new laws turn back the clock on progress, we can't sit idly by. We are sending a message that discrimination won't be tolerated." The move prompted UConn men's basketball coach Kevin Ollie to boycott the Final Four.

New York — Gov. Andrew Cuomo banned all state-funded travel to Indiana that wasn't essential to law enforcement, public health or safety.

Washington — Gov. Jay Inslee imposed an administration-wide ban on travel to Indiana, saying "Indiana's law appears to legalize private discrimination."

Cities with travel bans

Washington, D.C. — Mayor Muriel Bowser banned city-funded travel until Indiana repeals the "religious freedom" law. The order, issued Tuesday, went into effect immediately.

Denver — Mayor Michael Hancock banned nonessential travel to Indiana on Tuesday, saying the state's "religious freedom" law "is just wrong, plain and simple, and we will not condone discrimination through the use of taxpayer dollars."

Seattle — Mayor Ed Murray banned city-funded travel to Indiana, saying, "Laws that say you can discriminate have no place in this country."

San Francisco — Mayor Ed Lee banned all city-funded trips to Indiana, saying "San Francisco taxpayers will not subsidize legally sanctioned discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people by the state of Indiana."

West Palm Beach, Fla. — Mayor Jeri Muoio suspended city-funded travel to Indiana until the "religious freedom" act is repealed.

Corporate America speaks out

Gen Con — The largest tabletop gaming convention in North America has been a fixture in Indianapolis and has a contract with the city through 2020. But the convention's CEO, Adrian Swartout, said discussions have begun on where to take the convention in the future.

Levi Strauss & Co. — The iconic blue jean maker spoke out not only against Indiana's law, but also efforts in Arkansas and other states, saying the efforts "turn back the clock on equality and foster a culture of intolerance."

Salesforce.com — The CEO of the San Francisco-based company, which owns locally based ExactTarget, declared in a Twitter post that his company would stop holding meetings in Indiana in protest.

Yelp — Jeremy Stoppelman, the CEO of the online consumer review site, said: "It is unconscionable to imagine that Yelp would create, maintain or expand a significant business presence in any state that encouraged discrimination by businesses against our employees, or consumers at large."

Indiana's largest businesses use their influence

Nine CEOs from some of Indiana's largest businesses signed a letter they sent to Gov. Mike Pence expressing their opposition to the "religious freedom" act. They are:

Tom Linebarger, Cummins Inc.

Bill Oesterle, Angie's List

Joseph Swedish, Anthem

Jeff Smulyan, Emmis Communications

Dan Evans, Indiana University Health

Jack Phillips, Roche Diagnostics

John Lechleiter, Eli Lilly and Co.

Tim Hassinger, Dow AgroSciences

Scott McCorkle, Salesforce Marketing Cloud

Indiana colleges speaking out

Butler University — President James Danko issued a statement Sunday urging state leaders to address the damage done by the RFRA. He said the law "strikes me as ill-conceived legislation at best, and I fear that some of those who advanced it have allowed their personal or political agendas to supersede the best interests of the state of Indiana and its people."

Indiana University — President Michael McRobbie issued a statement saying the law's passage has brought negative attention to the state that's done damage to Indiana's reputation. It said that "all public officials and public institutions in our state need to reaffirm our absolute commitment to the Hoosier values of fair treatment and nondiscrimination."

Christian Theological Seminary — President Matthew Myer Boulton said the Indianapolis seminary believes deeply in religious liberty but opposes the new law because it is "an offense to the spirit of civil rights."

University of Indianapolis — President Robert Manuel called on the governor and legislators to build an environment of inclusion. He said the university "cannot offer support for this law that may impinge upon the rights of certain groups in our community."

Sports organizations

NCAA — The nation's pre-eminent amateur sports organization is based in Indianapolis and is holding its premier event, the Final Four, here this weekend. But that hasn't stopped NCAA President Mark Emmert from saying the "religious freedom" law might affect the organization's future in the city.

NBA, WNBA, Indiana Pacers and Fever — The city's professional basketball organizations spoke up as one, saying: "The game of basketball is grounded in long-established principles of inclusion and mutual respect. We will continue to ensure that all fans, players and employees feel welcome at all NBA and WNBA events in Indiana and elsewhere."

Mid-American Conference — The collegiate sports league, which includes Indiana's Ball State University, said it will hold no more meetings or championship events in Indiana because of the "religious freedom" law's passage.

Arts organizations getting backlash

Arts organizations are facing potential cancellations from artists and donors, and event organizers fear the fallout is only beginning if Indiana's "religious freedom" bill isn't changed.

"Several generous art collectors" from across the country are discouraged from "making future donations to the (Indianapolis Museum of Art) and other Indiana charities," IMA Director and CEO Charles Venable said in a statement.

A nationally prominent travel writer originally looking forward to the IMA's upcoming "Dream Cars" exhibit now "does not plan to cover events in Indiana in the foreseeable future," Venable said.

Drum Corps International, whose World Championship Finals drew 40,000 attendees and 3,000 participants to Indianapolis last year, is being pressured to move its headquarters and championship events out of the state by a petition with more than 7,000 supporters. DCI has not commented on relocating.

The Indiana Repertory Theatre hit a snag in planning its 2015-16 season, scheduled to be announced next week, as nationally known directors and designers pushed back against working in Indiana, said managing director Suzanne Sweeney.

"The Indiana Repertory Theatre is already witnessing the harmful effects of reactions to Indiana's newly passed RFRA legislation, as theatre practitioners cancel reservations to attend a national conference we are hosting in April, and fellow theatre producers and artists from around the country threaten to boycott our work," IRT leaders wrote in a statement. "We fear this could be only the beginning."

Playwright Ramon Esquivel canceled a speaking engagement at the IRT's national writing conference, Write Now, taking place May 3-6.

Organizers of Developing History Leaders at the Seminar for Historical Administration, a prestigious conference for the nation's top historical museum leaders hosted by the Indiana Historical Society every year, are "seriously considering" pulling out of Indianapolis and relocating to St. Paul., Minn., said Indiana Historical Society President John Herbst.

Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra is facing pressure, as well.

"Several world-renowned guest artists scheduled to perform with the ISO in coming months have expressed concerns about coming to Indiana," CEO Gary Ginstling said in a statement.

Star reporter Wei-Huan Chen contributed to this article. Call Star reporter Robert King at (317) 444-6089. Follow him on Twitter: @RbtKing.