Dragon Con, one of the most popular multi-media and pop culture conventions in the nation located annually in Atlanta, made a statement on March 26 strongly opposing the so-called Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA).

The statement reads: “Dragon Con is proud of its long history of accepting all fans, no matter who they are today or who they want to be during the convention. […] We are working through the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Georgia Hotel and Lodging Association, which are actively lobbying against this discriminatory bill, to make our opinion known to Georgia legislators.”

Dragon Con has been located in Atlanta since its founding 29 years ago, and has enjoyed growing and developing roots in the metropolitan area. “We have great faith that our state’s leaders and legislators will, eventually, do the right thing for all Georgians. Legislation that hurts one of us hurts us all.”

Even if the “license to discriminate” legislation passes, Dragon Con will continue to ensure nondiscrimination practices in all of its business endeavors.

“Should this bill become law, we will seek written assurances from all of our business partners that they will not participate in any discriminatory behavior on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other point of identification. We have no intention now or in the future of supporting a business partner that discriminates.”

Dragon Con joins other Georgia conventions based in Georgia that have spoken out against RFRA, including American Academy of Religion, American Historical Association, German Studies Association, History of Science Society, Philosophy of Science Association, Society for Biblical Literature and Society for Literature, Science, and the Arts.

In a letter to Republican lawmakers, the Georgia Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus warned that, “as of now we know of at least $15 million in convention business that has stated that they will cancel their conventions should this bill pass.” The convention bureau estimates the long-term negative economic impact will amount to “hundreds of millions of dollars in lost revenue.”

Similarly, Indiana’s Governor signed an analogous RFRA bill today. The overwhelming negative reaction includes the NCAA making a statement of disapproval of RFRA and considering holding the Final Four elsewhere other than Indianapolis in the future, and Salesforce, Gen Con, and Disciples of Christ all condemning the bill.

Stand with us and the quickly growing corporate opposition in fighting this harmful legislation so that the Georgia economy can continue to grow and attract the best and brightest to the state.