Louisiana could lose sporting events, conventions if transgender restrictions are approved

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Leaders in Louisiana’s tourism industry — particularly those centered on New Orleans — said the restrictions on transgender people currently under consideration in the state Legislature may drive away major sporting events like the NCAA’s Final Four and the large business conventions that sustain the New Orleans economy.

If people and corporations avoid Louisiana to protest hostile transgender restrictions, it would have a ripple effect that extends far beyond New Orleans. Tourism is one of the major drivers of the state’s overall economy. Tax dollars associated with it also support higher education institutions, health care, highways, K-12 schools and law enforcement in all of Louisiana.

“We could lose everything,” said J.P. Morrell, who sits on the Louisiana Stadium and Exposition District board, which oversees the Louisiana Superdome and Smoothie King Center. “We just can’t afford to knock out one of the legs that is propping up our economy.”

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Conservative Louisiana lawmakers have sponsored four bills that would place limits on young people who are transgender. Two pieces of legislation could restrict access to health care — including medication, surgery and mental health services — for transgender people under the age of 18.

The other two bills would ban transgender girls and women from participating in women-only sports competitions from primary school through college. That’s the exact type of legislation the NCAA has warned it might not tolerate.

But the NCAA might not be the only organization to give New Orleans the cold shoulder if Louisiana implements transgender restrictions. Professional sports leagues have also shown a willingness to pull their events over anti-transgender legislation. Conventions and business associations — the backbone of New Orleans tourism industry — could also decide to relocate, said tourism leaders.

“I think we are seeing that corporations, associations and major sports organizations are more and more willing to weigh in on these types of issues,” said Walt Leger, vice president and general counsel of New Orleans & Company, previously called the New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau. “They will move their business to other locations when this type of legislation is enacted.”

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