Pride organization recognizes LGBT community
The University of Indianapolis community recognizes various types of diversity on campus. Diversity goes beyond racial or ethnic backgrounds; it also includes sex, gender and sexual orientation.
The UIndy Pride organization is one of many groups to help establish diversity on campus.
Originally a group that met off campus, Pride was officially recognized by the university beginning in the term of former UIndy President Benjamin Lantz.
Chair and Associate Professor of Communication Billy Catchings is one of the faculty advisers of the Pride organization. Catchings has also helped write the constitution and bylaws for Pride.
“He [Lantz] personally extended an invitation for them to meet on campus,” Catchings said.
Senior Abby Krug and sophomore Taylor Ankrom are the co-chairs for Pride.
Ankrom said that she found out about Pride through the Life Expo on campus, which gives students an opportunity at the beginning of each school year to see the different types of student organizations the university has to offer.
“We are trying to raise awareness and give a safe zone to those who are LGBT or who support LGBT,” Ankrom said.
LGBT stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender.
As a university affiliated with Christianity, Catchings believes that a faith-based organization has to be inclusive.
Sophomore Taylor Ankrom and junior Josh Ford look over the agenda at a Pride meeting. The Pride organization welcomes anyone to their meetings regardless of their sexual orientation. Photo by Kelbi Ervin
Ankrom believes that you can still be LGBT and have a religion.
“We have people who are very involved in their church and are still LGBT,” Ankrom said. “We’re planning on doing a meeting with the Methodist Association and Interfaith to talk about how LGBT and religion works.”
Ankrom thinks that the campus is more diverse than the group shows.
“Not everyone is comfortable coming to a Pride meeting. We don’t push people, and we don’t ask,” Ankrom said.
Pride operates not only as an outreach organization but a safe haven for students who are a part of the LGBT community and its allies.
Ankrom said the gay-straight alliance is essential to getting things done.
Pride is open to those who support the LGBT movement.
The organization also holds many events throughout the year. Pride is in charge of the annual drag show on campus. The next UIndy Drag Show will take place in March 2012.
The proceeds of the drag show benefit Broadway Cares Equity Fights AIDS, a response to AIDS by the theatre community. Ankrom says the drag show is their event that gets the most straight people involved.
The group also is working on plans for Ally Week, to show appreciation to the allies of the LGBT movement. Ankrom says there are plans to do an event for World AIDS Day and other events to promote safe sex.
“We try to do things to help out the LGBT community and provide a safe zone,” Ankrom said.
