GayIndy.com -Gay and Lesbian Indianapolis Guide: Nightlife, Events, Bars, Dining, News, Business Listings, A : Gay, Lesbian, Bi-Sexual, Transgendered Resources in Indianapolis

The Damien Center was established in 1987 to respond to the growing AIDS crisis in Indianapolis. Initially staffed entirely by volunteers, the Center has grown into the largest HIV/AIDS service organization in Indiana and is recognized nationally for its leadership and innovation in care and prevention programs. The mission of the Damien Center is to lead the fight to prevent the spread of HIV and to empower persons in Central Indiana affected by HIV/AIDS to move forward each day with dignity.

IE, the educational counterpart to Indiana Equality Action, seeks nondiscrimination by facilitating and coordinating the efforts of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) and allied communities.

IE focuses its efforts through a number of activities and programs including issues engagement, community mobilization, a speakers� bureau, and research.

Tax deductible contributions to Indiana Equality help fund activities that result in progress in equality for all Hoosiers.

Indy PFLAG promotes the health and well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons, their families and friends through: support, to cope with an adverse society; education, to enlighten an ill-informed public; and advocacy, to end discrimination and to secure equal civil rights. Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays provides opportunity for dialogue about sexual orientation and gender identity, and acts to create a society that is healthy and respectful of human diversity.

Go to www.indypflag.org for information about monthly support meetings.

The Indiana AIDS Fund is a private philanthropic fundraising and grant-making organization dedicated to supporting HIV prevention and services programs throughout Indiana. They host 2 fantastic aids fundraisers. Each May they present Spotlight which brings professional performers from all over Central Indiana together for one reason - to raise money for HIV/AIDS education, prevention and testing programs across Indiana. They stand in the spotlight in order to keep the spotlight shining on HIV in Indiana. Each October the hold the Indiana AIDS Walk & Ride. This annual 5K walk and 10K ride brings together people from all walks of life the walk and ride is held in Indianapolis in recognition of the impact HIV has on all Hoosiers. Nearly 1,500 people join together to raise money for the agencies that provide direct care, financial assistance through the Gregory R. Powers Direct Emergency Financial Assistance (DEFA) fund.

Indy Pride Inc. Mission: "Indy Pride Inc., through its purpose, fosters events that seek to educate, honor the history of the GLBT communities and celebrate the diversity of and create unity, in and between, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Straight communities."

"Toward this mission, Indy Pride Inc. sponsors the following events and benefits to fund these events: Laugh OUT Loud, Circle City IN Pride, Indy Pride Family Picnic, Hoosier 250 & Cookout w/ Silent Auction, Thanksgiving Evening, Educational and Vocational Scholarships, Workshops and Support Groups (confidential and public), also members of the board have and do currently donate their time as volunteers to the organization.

Twenty-eight years ago around Halloween, 70 or so men dressed in drag, boarded three buses, and began a journey to help in the fight against AIDS calling themselves �The Bag Ladies.� The Bag Ladies got their name from an article out of a New York City newspaper. Coby Palmer, one of the original Bag Ladies, read in the article that the New York �bag ladies� were fun and campy and had lots �hutspah�, similar to what the Indianapolis Bag Ladies are like today. The Bag Ladies are men willing to dress in high heels and wear outrageous costumes who, each year around Halloween, travel from bar to bar soliciting money until the early hours of the morning on what is called The Bag Lady Bus Tour

Founded in 1987 as a response to the needs of self-identified Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender or Questioning youth, Indiana Youth Group held its first meeting in the living room of founders, Chris Gonzales and Jeff Werner with support from Pat Jordan. It was a mere five years after those meager beginnings that IYG was named a Special Project of National Significance for its programs protecting the mental and physical health of Indiana's LGBT youth. IYG now proudly operates a drop in and program facility donated by the Health Foundation of Greater Indianapolis, which was renovated and maintained by community supporters

The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, and Allied (GLBTA) communities of Indianapolis and surrounding areas are integral to the cultural and economic base of the city. Because the health of GLBTA business organizations is essential to the health of the city's economy as a whole, a voice is required to serve and promote our interest in the city's economic and cultural development. The Indy Rainbow Chamber is dedicated to providing this voice.

A volunteer organization, the Chamber relies on talent and energy contributed by members. We hope you will take a moment to browse our website, and whether you are a member or just thinking of joining, get involved by attending one of our After Hours functions or other events.

Mission
The Indianapolis Rainbow Chamber of Commerce seeks to:

Promote businesses owned by, operated by, or supportive of the local GLBTA community.
Promote GLBTA business participation in efforts to enhance economic development and quality of life.
Promote public appreciation of the contribution made by the GLBTA business community.
Promote a civic, economic, and cultural environment in which business and diversity flourish.

The Vision
...to be an organization of central stature that is an indispensable partner, and often a leader, in public and private initiatives to enhance business for the City of Indianapolis.

Visit the Indy Rainbow Chamber HERE

Hope For Life Outreach is an outreach Support Group for those affected and effected by HIV/AIDS here in the Indianapolis Community and the State of Indiana.
Hope Center Ministries is a Ministry/Church for Everyone! Our current and still existing Ministry, Positive Faith Ministries has now found its home on the Hope Center Ministries website. The Ministry used to have Positive Faith on another website, but our Church has incorporated our existing HIV/AIDS outreach within our Congregation and Community. We have now been accepted by a National and International Ministry Worldwide and have a NEW! Support Group for those effected and affected by HIV/AIDS here in the Indianapolis Community and the State of Indiana. Become apart of Hope For Life Outreach! Visit the Ministry online, get to know us, get to know what we are about, what we have to offer your Life with Christ and Much More! God Bless!

The Indiana Transgender Rights Advocacy Alliance (INTRAA) is a 501(c)(4) statewide advocacy organization working to create a society that values and protects freedom of gender expression and the right to gender self-determination for all.

Since its inception in April 2002, INTRAA has been dedicated to building a strong transgender and allied community to act as a force for positive change in Indiana.

The Pride of Indy Bands serve as a musical and educational resource to the Central Indiana community and is comprised of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and LGBT-friendly musicians. Activities are conducted in a supportive, accepting, and affirming atmosphere. For more information, to offer financial support, or to volunteer with this vibrant organization, find us on the web at

Step-Up believes in providing education, training, advocacy and technical assistance to promote health and well-being; with a focus on HIV/STD prevention and diversity.

Lez-B-Friends is an organization that is poised to bring about positive changes within the lesbian community of Indianapolis. They aspire to be viewed as �transparent,� �trustworthy�; an organization that has �integrity,�.

Lez-B-Friends exists to help dispel these untruths and to assist other same gender loving women in their coming out journey of self-discovery, self-esteem and the affirmation of legitimacy; lesbians matter, we have a voice and that we will be heard! Lez-B-Friends was founded with the bases of ceating a bond, a sense of family and friendship with women who love women and women who look like you, that shares some of the same issues as you, for you.

Indiana Black Pride is a grassroots organization dedicated to efforts that nurture pride and unity
within the African-American same-gender-loving gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender community.

Located in downtown Indy at 815 Muskingham the library is open Sat & Sun- noon til 6 p.m. Our collection of 5500 books, archives of local glbt publications, national magazines, and local memorabilia is one of the largest in the midwest. Volunteers and donations are always welcome.

OUT is IU's official student-run Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Student Union. Come join us at our social & educational meetings at 7:45 on Thursday evenings!

bloomingOUT exists to educate, entertain and stimulate listeners to engage in dialogue about real issues and events relevant to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ) population of south central Indiana. bloomingOUT reaches thousands of people within the regional area through the WFHB radio broadcast, as well as millions more nationally and internationally via the web through podcasting and web download. bloomingOUT strives to maintain an upbeat, informative and entertaining show that can be enjoyed by both the queer and straight communities, and provides a space to facilitate communication within the LGBTIQ community.

GIRTH & MIRTH INDIANAPOLIS~We are a social club primarily for gay and bisexual men that are chubs (overweight men) or chasers (men who love chubs) and bears. We are based in Indianapolis, but welcome everyone, especially from Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Illinois and Michigan. We have carry-in dinners and movie nights, game nights and hug parties etc. at member's homes. We occasionally go out for meals, have pool parties and go to the movies. We also take trips to places like the zoo, museums and the Indiana State Fair. Come check us out. We are an exciting, growing club. Get in on the action! Join us soon.

Better health care through empowerment and information outreach
The SHINE Project website is focused on building to improve HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and management. The toolkits are designed for use by clinicians, public health professionals, Indiana State Department of Health Care Coordinators, and consumers in Indiana.
Find us on Twitter @IndianaSHINE.

An online group for Purdue University (all campuses) GLBT alumni/a and former students. Professional social, and political networking. Discussions, current GLBT news, especially pertaining to Purdue University.

Pride Lafayette, Inc., is a 501(c)3 registered organization aimed at supporting and strengthening the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) community of the Lafayette, Indiana area. Our focus is to promote the health and education of the LGBTQ community and foster a sense of community pride, celebrate the diversity of our community, and engage in service projects that support local citizens and create bonds among volunteers.

We are more than just a Catholic Mass, we're a voice for change and acceptance. Dignity Indianapolis is part of DignityUSA, a lay movement of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered Catholics, their families, and their friends. We strive to build a more loving community for gay people within both the CatholicChurch and society at large.

Everyone is welcome!

In our chapter we worship openly with other lesbian and gay Catholics and their families, socialize, share personal and spiritual experiences, and work together on educational and justice issues. Members gather at periodic regional meetings and biennial national conventions.

www.dignityindy.com

We�re a Church that�s passionate about following Jesus, serious about the Bible, genuinely diverse, and theologically open-minded. That�s a rare combination. At LifeJourney Church, God is creating something new! You will find a warm welcome whoever you are � straight or gay, white or black, Asian or Hispanic, conservative or liberal, old or young, rich or poor, married or single, transgender or any gender identity. Like the early Church, we are a rainbow congregation!

The Church Within was founded in 1992. We are an ever-evolving spiritual community, dedicated to offering unconditional support and love to all who seek inner wisdom through a spiritual life. We gather to nurture each individual's sense of responsibility to seek divine empowerment from within. We affirm that a Divine Presence is the Creator and Sustainer of all that is. We affirm everyone's right to use whatever name for God is in harmony with their spiritual path. We firmly believe in the power of prayer - the power of personal and collective faith within prayer. We seek to promote understanding, acceptance and love of the holy diversity within the human experience.

"The Perfect Church for Imperfect People." EVERYONE is welcome to worship with us in our Spirit-filled, annointed, and GLBT affirming church. ALL are welcome without regard to your past, present, race, gender, social or economic status, or sexual orientation.

A church that welcomes all regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, economic status or where you are on your faith journey. Come and fellowship with others in a place of love and acceptance.

At Circle City Pentecostals of Indianapolis, we are the church of the 21st Century. We welcome and embrace ALL people, regardless of race, age, social status, and sexual orientation. We stand together in unity to promote the true gospel of Jesus Christ, reaching out to those who have been wounded and cast aside. We endorse Apostolic truth, Pentecostal worship, spiritual counseling, fellowship and accountability to all God's children.

Bridges of Hope Ministries

Global Alliance of Affirming Apostolic Pentecostals (GAAAP)

We are a Spirit-Filled congregation that is Open and Affirming of ALL people. We truly believe that God has called us to bridge the gap to all people, regardless of who they are. Our music is a mix of praise and worship as well as old favorites. Our church is a new church plant and we are looking for people to become involved in our ministry. Come and check us out if you are looking to get involved or just looking for an inclusive place to worship God freely.

We currently worship at the Broadway United Methodist Church located at: 609 East 29^th Street Indianapolis, Indiana 46205

Contact: Daniel Dempsey

Email: Bishop@bohindy.com