IHS Launches New LGBT Traveling Exhibit

Indianapolis—The Indiana Historical Society (IHS) will mark Circle City IN Pride Week (June 4-11) with the public debut of its LGBT traveling exhibit. A Visual Journey: From AIDS to Marriage Equality will be on display at the Circle City IN Pride Festival on Saturday, June 11. The free event will take place from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., at American Legion Mall in downtown Indianapolis.

The new traveling exhibit celebrates 30 years of LGBT history as seen through the lens of photographer Mark A. Lee. His photographs give visitors a front row seat to events, both public and private, that shaped the lives of many Hoosiers.

“A Visual Journey: From AIDS to Marriage Equality documents members of the AIDS community, past and present Bag Ladies, members of Pride, and those who fought for marriage equality,” said Lee. “It also pays tribute to five very special people who are no longer here (for reasons other than AIDS) and takes a sneak peek into our future, as it takes a closer look at the transgender community.”

The traveling exhibit, sponsored by Eli Lilly and Company and Cummins, also highlights IHS’s work with the Indiana LGBT Collecting Initiative. The initiative focuses on collecting, preserving and sharing stories of LGBT Hoosiers. First announced in 2014, it now includes oral histories, photographs and research materials donated to the IHS archive.

The Indiana LGBT Collecting Initiative is supported by the Efroymson Family Fund and a grant from The Indianapolis Foundation, a CICF affiliate. For more information on the initiative, or to donate items, call (317) 232-1882 or visit IHS online at www.indianahistory.org.

Organizations who wish to book A Visual Journey: From AIDS to Marriage Equality should contact Karen DePauw at (317) 233-3110 or at localhistoryservices@indianahistory.org.

About the Indiana Historical Society

Since 1830, the Indiana Historical Society has been Indiana’s Storyteller, connecting people to the past by collecting, preserving, interpreting and sharing the state’s history. A private, nonprofit membership organization and an Affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, IHS maintains the nation’s premier research library and archives on the history of Indiana and the Old Northwest and presents a unique set of visitor exhibitions called the Indiana Experience. IHS provides support and assistance to local museums and historical groups, publishes books and periodicals; sponsors teacher workshops; produces and hosts art exhibitions, museum theater and outside performance groups; and provides youth, adult and family programming.

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Indy Pride and IHS Team Up for Circle City IN Pride Week Events
Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center
450 W. Ohio St.

Wednesday, June 8
Wellness Fair (Free)
(5-7 p.m.) – Eli Lilly Hall

Being Transgender in Indiana: Making History Past and Present ($10 per person)
(7-9 p.m.) – Frank and Katrina Basile Theater

Indy Pride and IHS are teaming up to present Circle City IN Pride History Night at the History Center. The event kicks off at 5 p.m., with a wellness fair featuring organizations that serve the transgender community. Then at 7 p.m., writer, director, film producer and LGBT activist Andrea James takes the stage as keynote speaker of the program Being Transgender in Indiana: Making History Past and Present.

Friday, June 10
Kiss Me Kate Film Screening
(9 p.m., seating starts at 7:30 p.m.) – Kruse Family Stardust Terrace

The History Center serves as the host location for Pride Movie Night, which also celebrates Hoosier composer Cole Porter’s 125th birthday. A free screening of Porter’s iconic musical Kiss Me Kate is open to all ages. Seating is first come, first served. Refreshments are available for purchase.

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