Indy Pride History

Indy Pride, Inc Established

In 1995, Indy Pride, Inc. was established as an independent organization.  Jim Lasher was the first Chairman, Bill McKinley and Jeffrey Cleary were the Co-Chairs of Pride that year. The Pride celebration was also moved from June to Fall that year. Further, the venue was also changed from University Park to the then-new Canal.  Problems abounded:  the long, narrow canal with water separating the sides was not well attended; the budget was overspent; and an admission fee for some events left many refusing to attend.  The result was a $10,000+ debt.

With the large debt, it appeared that there would be no pride after 1995, but two different groups stepped up to organize events.  The Word and Justice, Inc., under the leadership of Wally Paynter of Evansville, hosted the traditional event at University Park/Veterans Plaza.  All proceeds went to Justice, Inc.  The second event was held in the fall on Talbott Street by the new Indy Pride, Inc.  This newly re-organized Indy Pride was led by Linda Batchelor-Ballew.

Between 1996 and 1999 both Pride events co-existed and worked together.  Indy Pride paid back all of the money due to vendors, distributors, and members of the community.  In addition, The Word paid all of the bills for the June events and donated the profits (between $5,000 and $10,000 annually) to Justice, Inc.  In 1999, under the chairmanship of Alan Witchey who coordinated the June event, negotiations began to combine the events.  During Bathelor-Bellew’s presidency, Indy Pride began an annual scholarship program and the Community Thanksgiving Dinner.  In 1997, the organization applied for and was approved as a 501(c)3 tax-exempt status organization.  The first Indy Pride office was also established in Fountain Square.   Batchelor-Ballew and Pride’s long-time Treasurer Eric Munsch balanced the books and put the organization “back in the black.” 

During the period 2001-2003, under the leadership of Ivan Howard more and more events were combined and the event was moved to Mass Avenue as a Street Fayre. During this period, a picnic was added which was held the Sunday after the Street Fayre at Eagle Creek Park. 

In 2003, Indy Pride ended the Street Fayre on Mass Avenue and combined the two Pride events into a Festival which was held at University Park.  The mid-June date was chosen.  Attendance grew from 6,000 people in 2002 to 10,000 in 2003.