Michael Smith as “The Dude” from “The Big Lebowski” takes part in the costume parade during Gen Con at the Indiana Convention Center, on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014, in Indianapolis. (Brent Drinkut/The Indianapolis Star)
If you’re into gaming — of whatever variety — you’ve probably heard of , the Indianapolis-based gaming convention that bills itself as the world’s largest.
But you may not have heard about how the event, reportedly Indy’s largest convention in attendance and economic impact, is threatening to decamp to another city if Indiana Gov. Mike Pence signs a “religious freedom” bill that would allow businesses to refuse service to same-sex couples.
that organizers sent a letter to Pence, which read in part:
“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,” said Adrian Swartout, owner and CEO of Gen Con LLC, in a letter sent to Pence.
We’ve seen the debate over this topic and , as when local bakers have refused to make cakes that go against their religious beliefs, and same-sex couples file civil suits alleging discrimination.
In a bigger market like New York or Chicago, this might not mean much to the boosters and economic development officials. But Gen Con attracted 56,000 people last year to the Indiana Convention Center and has an annual economic impact of more than $50 million, Swartout said in his letter. It’s fair to wonder if Gov. Pence will capitulate based on that, and the fact that the city’s tourism bureau Visit Indy also came out again the bill.
Gen Con is under contract to hold the conference in Indianapolis through 2020, the Star reported. Conference spokeswoman Stacia Kirby said there are no plans to break the contract. But the state’s adoption of the measure would factor into future decisions, she told the Star.
It’s certainly an interesting development to see a cultural conventions using its consumer pull to demand social and/or political change. Pence, who has said he intends to sign the measure, was undeterred by Gen Con’s letter. Either way, it’ll also be interesting to see whether or not this sets a precedent.
