History

Knowing that gay and lesbian youth deserved better, a handful of gay and lesbian community members began what has turned out to be one of the oldest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth programs in the country. The idea for Indiana Youth Group (IYG) began in 1987 when Chris Gonzalez and Pat Jordan, members of the Indianapolis Gay Switchboard, were speaking to a local university student group and were asked what services were available for gay youth in Indianapolis. Unfortunately, they could not provide any resources specifically targeting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender young people. Previously, a gay youth group called Gay Youth Metro had existed, but it was now defunct.

It became quite clear to both Chris and Pat that support services for gay and lesbian youth were needed. From their frustration over not having referral sources for such youth, Chris and Pat gathered a small group of friends to talk about beginning a youth group specifically addressing the needs of gay and lesbian young people. Although the group was met with initial skepticism, their courage and vision has resulted in the creation of one of the leading youth agencies in the country specifically serving lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender and questioning youth. IYG continues to grow and expand its original programs and services, supporting all youth in their personal journeys regarding their orientation and gender identity.

December 1987
The planning begins and a kickoff dance is set. The dance is held in a gay friendly storefront church on Illinois and 38th Streets. Three youth showed and the D.J.'s speakers blew up, however, a dream became reality!

February 1988
The first IYG educational and support meeting is held in Chris Gonzales and his partner, Jeff Werner's living room. Again, three youth show and begin to meet every other Thursday night. Within six months, Chris and Jeff's living room is packed and furniture has to be moved out of the room to accommodate all of the youth. At this point, over 35 young people are regularly attending IYG Thursday night meetings.

January 1989
IYG receives its first grant from the Indiana State Department of Health for $12,450 and begins to meet at The Damien Center, a social service agency for persons living with HIV/AIDS. The youth group is averaging 50-65 young people at each meeting.

January 1990
IYG begins to establish chapters across Indiana as some youth were driving 2-3 hours to attend the IYG meetings in Indianapolis.

March 1991
IYG receives a grant from the U.S. Conference of Mayors to start the nation's first toll-free peer run counseling hotline.

1991
IYG holds its first peer counseling training. Staff begins street outreach program, taking its educational message to the streets of Indianapolis. IYG receives a grant from The Health Foundation of Greater Indianapolis to purchase the Youth Center in Indianapolis.

March 1992
IYG is featured on ABC's 20/20 as a model program leading the way in addressing the high suicide rates among gay and lesbian youth due to peer, family and societal pressures.

May 1992
IYG purchases a building, which will become the IYG Youth Center, one of only three facilities dedicated solely to gay, lesbian and bisexual youth in the U.S.

January 1993
Over 350 youth from across the United States and the world are members of the IYG Pen-Pal Network.

April 1993
The Joseph F. Miller Matching Funds Campaign nets over $20,000 to help renovate the new IYG Youth Center and to help support IYG programming.

July 1993
IYG takes 50 youth to the National March on Washington for Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Rights and Liberation.

August 1993
Over 5,000 Indiana youth have come "face-to-face" with IYG programming since it began six years ago. Tens of thousands of youth from across the U.S. have called the IYG Peer Run Toll Free Youth Hotline.

November 1993
The success of IYG has been acknowledged by NBC News, Time Magazine, ABC's 20/20, Black Entertainment Television, The Front Page (Fox Network), The Advocate and hundreds of gay and mainstream newspapers across the country.

December 1993
IYG is notified it will participate in a three-year grant titled Indiana Youth Access Project. IYG expands its staff by adding the position of Mental Health Advocate.

January 1994
IYG opens its first house for independent living called the IYG Living Program. This is a resource for youth age 18-20 in need of transitional housing. This program existed until March of 1995.

May 1994
IYG Founder and First Executive Director, Chris Gonzalez, passes away. Jeff Werner, Chris' life partner, becomes IYG's new Executive Director.

September 1995
IYG holds the first National Youth Festival, attracting over 75 youth from across the U.S. The event is held in conjunction with the 14th Annual International PFLAG Convention.

January 1997
Jeff Werner, IYG's second Executive Director, passes away.

June 1997
IYG Executive Director and staff members visit the IYG Chapter sites throughout Indiana. IYG is present in ten cities throughout the state. Indiana is the only state with a network of support systems for gay, lesbian and bisexual youth.

August 1997
IYG Youth Leadership Council begins. Council members plan and implement programming as well as act as an advisory board on all youth issues.

October 1997
IYG appears on nationally known gay TV program, In the Life.

October 1997
The 1st Annual Camp IYG is attended by youth from 3 states. Camp IYG is a fun-filled weekend of leadership training, cooperative games and art expression.

January 1998
At the IYG Youth Quarterly Business Meeting, youth members vote to make the IYG Youth Center's location public and to hold their own annual YOUTHpride event in June.

April 1998
Youth and staff complete six months of developing Core Service Areas for the agency. Leadership Development, Social Development, Educational Development, Personal Development and Information and Referral are the basis for all IYG programs, services and activities.

May 1998
The 1st IYG Open House and Silent Youth Art Auction is held at the IYG Youth Center in Indianapolis. The event is a huge success and the first time in the agency's history that the street address and location is made available to the general public.

November 1998
The five-year Special Projects of National Significance (SPNS) research and dissemination grant which provided a major portion of IYG's overall budget ends. Staffing moves from a case management structure which was a required fundamental part of the SPNS grant to a more programmatic and outreach driven structure.

June 1999
YOUTHpride '99 is held in Military Park in downtown Indianapolis with 300 youth attending. The event is IYG's second youth pride event with four bands, a DJ, henna tattooing, face painting and a dunk tank.

August 2000
Rob Connoley begins his tenure as Executive Director.

September 2001
IYG organizes and hosts first ever Indianapolis Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, featuring 15 films over 3 days, and includes celebrity appearances by MTV Real world characters.

October 2001
IYG receives 3-year federal grant to conduct outreach to homeless/unattached LGBT youth in Indianapolis.

February 2002
Gay Adults Program started for 19-24 year olds to socialize

February 2002
IYG adopts Community Youth Development model; Youth increasingly drive all program decisions, staffing issues, and procedural positions.

March 2002
Board size increases to 16 members with 100% giving and participation.

September 2002
2nd Annual Queer Film Festival held with Jason Stuart (Will & Grace) premiering his film. The Notorious CHO sold out - first ever sell out and Key Cinemas.

November 2002
IYG youth hire Josette Dallas. This is the first time IYG youth have had 100% of the decision making power for the agency. Staff used the opportunity to educate members on all issues related to hiring.

October 2002
IYG earns major grant from SAMHSA to do club drug prevention work.

May 2003
IYG earns Tides Foundation . Queer Youth Fund grant to organize LGBT youth across the state, and to launch billboard campaign supporting LGBT youth

September 2003
3rd Annual Film Festival

December 2003
Rob Connelley resigns

April 2004
Lydi Davidson hired as Executive Director

April 2004
3rd Annual Art Auction held

September 2004
4th Annual Film Festival with special guests Guinevere Turner from The L Word, and Jim Verraros from American Idol season 1

September 2004
IYG participates in Gay and Lesbian Tennis Alliance event in Indianapolis

October 2004
IYG holds first Phantom Run, the best race you've never run

March 2005
IYG participates in Rock Indiana rally at the Indiana Statehouse in opposition to SJR 7. Two youth are part of the speakers panel.

April 2005
IYG participates in Homeward Bound, the Indiana walk for the homeless; is #2 in overall fundraising

April 2005
4th Annual Art Auction held

June 2005
IYG participates in Bike Aid