Annual ACLU event highlights LGBTQ+ Rights

INDIANAPOLIS – The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) converged on the main floor of the State House in Indianapolis, Indiana on Thursday morning, January 30th, along with a throng of people representing organizations across the state in support of rights for the LGBTQIAP+ community. The annual ACLU event focused this year on the positive aspects of networking, making connections, raising awareness of resources, and community outreach, all of which are cornerstones of community building, which can counter the discriminatory hurdles thrown in the paths of the most vulnerable, most marginalized members of society. (www.aclu-in.org).

J.D. Ford (D) an Indiana State Senator (district 29) since 2018, spoke of the fear that has gripped the nation in the wake of recent Executive Orders and bill proposals generated by those who have aligned themselves against the LGBTQ+ community. Senator Ford was encouraged and inspired by the crowd. “I see hope in this room,” he observed, “…our community is not defined by fear; it is not defined by hate!”

Kelly L. Donahue, PhD, a pediatric and clinical child and adolescent psychologist, co-director of Riley Hospital for Children’s Gender Health Program, and member of medical faculty for Indiana University, spoke on the need to focus on patient care, not politics. She stated that medical providers should not be “forced to prioritize political interests over the wellbeing of children.”

Zoe O’Haillin Berne, Marketing and Engagement Coordinator for Indiana Youth Group (IYG) in Indianapolis, cited the recent “discriminatory Executive Orders,” issued by the Trump Administration, as “preventing people from accessing health care.” Berne discussed the importance for “young people to be validated” and know that they have “a safe space, a place where they belong.” Speaking to the many teens in the audience, Berne exclaimed, “You deserve access to competent health care. You are valuable! You are worthy! You belong!”

IYG provides support programs and basic needs to the one in four openly LGBTQ+ youths that must leave or are kicked out of their homes, as a result of being honest and revealing their gender identities to their families. (www.iyg.org). IYG support programs include Project Prism rapid rehousing, Basic Needs such as clothing, transitional apparel for trans people, hygiene and cleaning products, food pantry access, shower and laundry facilities, HIV and STI testing, advocacy, support groups, educational support, affinity groups, transportation, independent living skills, risk prevention, as well as access to Indiana Genders and Sexualities Alliance Network (ingsa@iyg.org).

Executive Director of Gender Nexus, Emma Vosicky, JD, MAT (www.gendernexus.org, Emma@ GenderNexus.org), spoke on the need to protect the rights of and access to services for gender-diverse youth and adults. Gender Nexus provides multiple counseling and referral services, including 100% free legal services, to gender-diverse individuals. In response to concerns over recent attacks on legal rights and reversals of legislation on gender-affirming health care and right to change gender markers on legal documents, Vosicky stated, “We must not be afraid to speak the truth of who we are. We shall not cower in fear. We make this world richer and fuller.” The crowd replied with a resounding chorus of, “We won’t go back!” joined by Vosicky, the phrase echoed repeatedly throughout the vast expanse of the Indiana State House.

Gender Nexus is in partnership with organizations such as Gender Expansive Kids and Co. (GEKCO), a support group for families of transgender kids in Central Indiana, peer-led with Melissa Bicknel and Krisztina Inskeep (www.INgekco.com). Trinity Haven, another partner organization, provides housing options through their Transitional Living and Host Homes programs that are safe, welcoming and affirming for LGBTQ+ young adults.

LGBTQ-affirming Christian organizations were represented by several clergy, church, and outreach members. Reverend David C. Sassman resides in Indiana. His church, Circle Sanctuary, based in Barneveld, Wisconsin is an inclusive church that affirms all gender identities. Youth Leader, Tre Hutchinson, and Children’s Minister, Becky White, of Life Journey Church (LJC) of Indianapolis, passed out pamphlets from their information booth declaring support for gender-diverse congregation and youth group members. It was an inspiring sight to see a long procession of clergy forming a human train moving together in unity throughout the diverse crowd, each one committed to diversity, equality, and inclusion (DEI) in their congregations and communities and in support of children, teens, and adults who identify as LGBTQIAP+.

Local Pride Centers from Terre Haute and Spencer, Indiana shared resources with the public from their information booths. Katie Lugar, Board President of Pride Center Terre Haute, stated that the center, in existence since 2021, has maintained a presence on the Indiana State University (ISU) campus for two years to support the LGBTQIA+ community of the Wabash Valley. (www.pridecenterterrehaute.org). Lugar expressed disappointment saying, “We are in transition, looking for a new location. We had a Pride Center on campus but we were asked to leave because of ‘the political climate’.” ISU alumnus, Kim Fidler, the UniServ Director for the Indiana State Teachers Association displayed visible disgust over the plight of Pride Center Terre Haute and wondered if the sudden defunding of DEI might have something to do with the decision by ISU to evict the Pride Center. It appears that alumni will not rest quietly until this dilemma is resolved.

Judith Epp of Spencer Pride (www.spencerpride.org) voiced her concerns about equal rights, stating that men seeking gender affirming health care such as “male enhancment” drugs, testosterone treatments for fertility, drugs to counter male-pattern baldness, and vasectomies to prevent unwanted pregnancies have no such rules applied to them as the rules governing abortion care and invitro fertilization, or birth control for women, or transitional gender-affirming health care.

G. David Caudillo, MPA, is an Association of Fundraising Professionals member and fundraiser for Equality Indiana, an LGBTQIA+ equality movement that began in protest against oppression and marginalization of the LGBTQIA+ community. Equality Indiana unites pro- LGBTQIA+ voters to “queer the vote” in Indiana. Caudillo stated, “Equal protection rules apply to everyone, equally.”

Lucie Mathieu of Spencer Pride pointed to a double standard that voters have regarding government controls and the eradication of DEI requirements, “As long as the government is controlling somebody else, it’s okay. People will vote for control of other people but not for control of themselves.” Epp observed how that can backfire when rules that restrict discrimination no longer apply and are equally as troublesome for veterans, seniors, and people with disabilities as they are for LGBTQ+, women, and AIPOC individuals, their communities and groups. “When veterans and People with disabilities can’t get jobs then they’ll wonder what went wrong.”

The crowd showed no signs of retreat when the chandeliers gracing the elegant ceiling of the Indiana State House reverberated with delight as the people chanted, “The people, united, will never be divided!”

(Contact Aliyah Keuthan at ketraldancing@gmail.com)

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