Business response to 'religious freedom' law softens Gen Con's fears

An outcry from Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard, local businesses and tourism industry members over the state's new "religious freedom" law could keep Gen Con in town.

Gen Con CEO Adrian Swartout wrote in a letter Thursday to convention attendees: "Due to specific dialog with long-time partners in Indy, we believe that Gen Con attendees not only will receive the same great service and hospitality in 2015, but an even warmer response from the city.

"For as long as we stay in Indianapolis, we will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with this community, expand our efforts to bring more diversity to Gen Con, and welcome all."

Gen Con, the city's largest convention in attendance and economic impact, threatened to move its event elsewhere over fears that the controversial religious freedom law known as the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, or RFRA, could lead to discrimination against its attendees.

That's still a possibility. Gen Con is contracted to hold its gaming convention in Indianapolis through 2020, but for the years following, "discussions, whether to remain in Indy or move elsewhere, have begun," Swartout's letter said.

Swartout said the legislation sends a message of exclusion and that the convention would support any attendee's decision not to travel to Indianapolis.

But Gen Con received "hundreds of messages" from the Indianapolis community "doubling down on their support to welcome all Gen Con attendees," the letter said.

"Let's continue to show off how open-hearted, fun, and inclusive our event and the Indy community can be," Swartout wrote.

Read the letter here.

Call Star reporter Stephanie Wang at (317) 444-6184. Follow her on Twitter: @stephaniewang.



