The Bilerico Project | Daily experiments in LGBTQ

The next time I tell the right wingers that Indiana's lack of gay rights (and outright hostility towards the gay community by some legislators) are driving away economic development maybe they'll listen. Perhaps benefitting from a homophobic rant by an Oklahoma legislator will get them to look past their prejudices to their pocketbooks.

Once they realize it can affect their money, you see, I'll finally get my rights.

Tom Maloney, vice president of California-based Staubach Co., would neither confirm nor deny that the 1,000-employee, AAA-rated client company's top executive is a lesbian who expressed concern over Oklahoma Rep. Sally Kern's recent anti-homosexual statements, as has been the topic circulating among local business leaders.

Roy Williams, president of the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber, said the issue is a major concern the chamber is trying to address. He confirmed a Staubach consultant was troubled by Kern's comments during a recent visit to the city.

"He told us straight up ... 'I cannot recommend to any of my clients that they should consider Oklahoma City because of that,'" Williams said. "When you have one of the nation's premier relocation experts making those statements, you should pay attention to that and not dismiss it.

Jeb Conrad, executive director of the Indianapolis Economic Development agency, confirmed Indianapolis is also a finalist for the same financial services office relocation.

"Indianapolis and Oklahoma City both have some good insurance and back-office opportunities, and very similar cost factors and real estate, versus the cost element that's associated with San Francisco. From my understanding from the consultant, we've both put pretty good deals on the table," Conrad said.