Nashville mayor 'deeply concerned' about lost tourist revenue resulting from anti-gay state law

Nashville Mayor Megan Barry told reporters she is "deeply concerned" about lost revenue to Nashville city coffers as a result of legislation that allows counselors to turn away LGBT patients, WKRN reports.

Barry told the station she hopes businesses and organizations don't punish the city for actions taken at the state level after several conventions have already been cancelled.

"I am deeply concerned about the loss of revenue to our city because of action taken by the state legislature," she told WKRN. "Come to Nashville. We are a warm and welcoming place. And we really don't want the cities to be punished for things that the states may do."

Prior to the bill's passage, the American Counseling Association condemned it, and since it went into law, at least three groups have cancelled scheduled meetings in Nashville.

Barry cautioned that Nashville, Tennessee's capital city and home to the country music industry, generates a large amount of revenue for the rest of the state and Davidson County.

“At the end of the day, we generate a tremendous amount of money in Davidson County that the entire state benefits from, and I want us to continue to be that revenue generator and that economic engine that keeps Tennessee a great place to be,"she told WKRN.

Watch the report, from WKRN, as posted here: