Convention Organizer Threatens To Ditch Indiana Over Anti-Gay Bill

The organizer of what is reportedly the largest convention in Indianapolis is threatening to relocate if Indiana Gov. Mike Pence (R) signs a controversial religious freedom bill, the Indianapolis Star is reporting.

The bill, which has already passed the state legislature and is expected to be signed by Pence soon, protects business owners from having to serve same-sex couples if they have religious objections.

The convention, Gen Con -- which bills itself as the "largest consumer hobby, fantasy, science fiction and adventure game convention in North America" -- has been held in Indianapolis since 2003. It hosts more than 50,000 attendees, and according to the Star, is Indianapolis' "largest convention in attendance and economic impact."

"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," Adrian Swartout wrote in the letter to Pence dated Monday.

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