Indiana Equality

ACLU Award to go to IE Field Organizer

2009-11-14T11:36:16-05:00

American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana

ACLU Award to go to Indiana Equality Field Organizer

Dino Sierp Recognized for Work on Behalf of LGBT Hoosiers

The American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana has announced that Dino Sierp, Indiana Equality Field Organizer is the 2009 recipient of the Chris Gonzales Award for her role in advancing civil liberties for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) citizens of Indiana.

Mr. Gilbert Holmes, Executive Director for the ACLU of Indiana, explains “In choosing Dino for the award, we felt that her work with Indiana Equality best exemplified the values embraced by the late Chris Gonzales. Her efforts, along with the work of Indiana Equality, will be essential in securing basic civil rights for LGBT Hoosiers”.

The award is presented annually in commemoration of Indiana Youth Group founder Chris Gonzales to an individual or organization that has advanced civil liberties for LGBT Hoosiers.

Sierp joined Indiana Equality in early 2009 as the organizations first Field Organizer. The position was made possible through a grant from the Tides Foundation with the purpose of expand civil rights protections based on either sexual orientation and gender identity/expression through local human rights ordinances.

“Dino’s achievements and successes are due to creative networking, forming community alliances and working well with diverse and minority communities,” observes Kathy Sarris, President of Indiana Equality. .”She has always been a strong and successful advocate for social change.”

For over 30 years, Ms. Sierp has provided educational programming and events for gay, lesbian, mental health, health care and minority communities. This includes serving as a volunteer, fundraiser or employee of numerous Indiana organizations including the Indiana AIDS Walk and Festival, AIDS Spotlight, Y-ME of Central Indiana, Branching Out Productions, The Julian Center, Butler University, Indianapolis Public Schools, and the Women’s Hospital of Indianapolis. Along with her work with Indiana Equality Sierp currently serves as a volunteer with the Indiana Canine Assistant Network, a local nonprofit that works with inmates in Indiana state prisons who do the two year training of service dogs which are then placed with children and adults living with physical disabilities.

The ACLU of Indiana is the Indiana affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union. The ACLU is dedicated to protecting the freedoms guaranteed to Indiana residents and businesses by the Indiana and United States Constitutions. For more information regarding the ACLU of Indiana, please visit our website at www.aclu-in.org or contact us at 317-635-4059.

1031 East Washington Street - Indianapolis, Indiana 46202-3952 - p 317.635.4059 - f 317.635.4105
www.aclu-in.org

The Place You Know You Need to Be

2009-11-14T10:14:00-05:00

On Thursday, December 10, 2009 at 6pm, friends and supporters will gather to celebrate the accomplishments of the year and further the cause of equality for all Hoosiers.

The second annual fundraising event will take place at the home of Joe Everhart and Ken Ramsay in their historic home located in Indianapolis’ Old Northside neighborhood. The 1873 Italianate house was known for decades as the home of the Saenger Chor, a German social club. The home has been restored to its nineteenth-century appearance except for the basement where the German-styled bar has been retained in honor of the landmark’s social club era.

Similar to the inaugural event held last year at the Governor’s Residence, attendees will have the opportunity to sample soups, breads, and desserts from Central Indiana restaurants and chefs. A silent auction will take place during the event and entertainment, provided by Deb Mullins, will be featured throughout the evening. A cash bar will also be available.

The event is open to the public and supporters are encouraged to reserve tickets, priced at $80 each, through our website or calling 888-567-0750.

Sponsorships beginning at $250, are available. The deadline for inclusion in the program is November 16^th. Volunteers are also needed for the event. Please call Chris Becker at 317-294-0354 if you are interested in becoming a sponsor or volunteering.

Give Thanks. Support Equality.

Halloween is over. We’ve changed our clocks. The crisp autumn weather is upon us. Thanksgiving is right around the corner. That time of year when we gather with family and friends to celebrate the many reasons we have to be thankful.

Though it has been a challenging year for many of us, we still have much for which we are thankful. The same is true for Indiana Equality.

IE is most thankful for the support it has received throughout the year. IE is especially thankful for those who have contributed financially to support equality for all Hoosiers.

If you have not yet made a contribution to Indiana Equality, or are able to do so again, please consider doing so now. The programs, services and community engagement activities IE undertakes are paving the way for an Indiana that treats citizen with the respect and fairness we deserve. Your support of Indiana Equality provides the resources needed to achieve equality.

Thank you again for your support, participation and involvement with Indiana Equality.

Another Victory in Bloomington!

2009-11-12T09:00:00-05:00

From John Clower, Indiana Equality Field Operations

It’s a small step. But a path breaking step for Indiana.

On October 21, 2009, Bloomington City Council voted 7-0 to approve Ordinance 09-18 (Responsible Bidder Ordinance).

The ordinance gives the City more control and better tools for awarding large contracts (worth $150,000 or more) to the lowest and most responsible bidder rather than to the lowest bidder. The ordinance does this by defining the criteria needed to meet the definition of “responsible.” In the view of Bloomington corporation counsel Kevin Robling, the new RBO is “the most progressive, gold-plated, best-written” RBO anywhere.

Unscrupulous bidders use various tricks to try to undercut responsible bidders. Among them are: wage theft; misclassifying full-time employees as “independent contractors” or 1099 employees in an effort to avoid paying into Social Security, worker’s compensation, and unemployment insurance; and secretly planning cost over-runs with the expectation that a municipality will cough up money for “add-ons.” By requiring additional documentation and by shining a light on a bidder’s history of unscrupulous practices or shoddy work, the ordinance protects employees, levels the playing field for responsible bidders, and maximizes value for the taxpayer.

Nestled within this ordinance is what amounts to an equal benefits ordinance. As the Human Rights Campaign Web site explains: ”An equal benefits ordinance requires contractors with a state or local government to offer equal benefits to its employees. To comply with such a law, a contractor that offers health insurance and other benefits to employees’ spouses must offer equivalent coverage to employees’ domestic partners.” Currently, one state (California) and at least a dozen municipalities around the country have adopted EBOs of some sort.

Part 3c of Bloomington’s RBO does the work of an equal benefits ordinance:

“3) Criteria. A ‘responsible bidder’ shall meet all the job specifications, shall comply with the following criteria, and shall submit evidence of such compliance: …c. A statement of compliance with Bloomington Municipal Code § 2.21.070(8); additionally, the bidder must include sexual orientation and gender identity in the affirmative action plan required in § 2.21.070(8).”

Contractors bidding on big city projects now have to file an affirmative action plan, inclusive of sexual orientation and gender identity, with the Bloomington Human Rights Commission. The BHRC director decides whether the plan is in compliance. Her decision can be appealed to the BHRC’s Contract Compliance Committee.

At the October 21^st meeting of Bloomington City Council, RBO co-sponsor and council vice president Isabel Piedmont-Smith commented that the city prides itself on its inclusive nondiscriminatory practices and that the new ordinance is a way to “broaden” the impact of that commitment to the community at large. “We will be setting an example for other cities in Indiana,” she predicted.

Bloomington’s is not the first RBO in Indiana. Crown Point, Schneider, and Newton County got there first. But it appears to be the first EBO in Indiana and only the second in the Midwest.

To compare equal benefits ordinances around the country, visit: http://www.hrc.org/issues/workplace/benefits/equal_benefits_ordinances.htm

For the texts of Crown Point’s and Newton County’s RBOs, visit: http://www.iiiffc.org/responsible_bidding.html

Honoring Veterans Day

2009-11-11T08:57:36-05:00

Please take a moment today to reflect on those that have given the most so we could have what we do.

2009 Indianapolis Transgender Day of Remembrance

2009-11-09T09:02:28-05:00

Saturday, November 14th, from 6 to 8 pm
Unitarian Universalist Church of Indianapolis,
615 W. 43rd St., Indianapolis, 46208

This year's observance of the Transgender Day of Remembrance will feature a live performance of the short play "TransActions," directed by Jeffrey Barnes; a moderated panel discussion of the play and issues facing the trans community; a memorial vigil; and refreshments and fellowship until 9 pm.

This event has been held nationally since 1999 to bring community-wide awareness to the terrible consequences of transphobia. For more information on the origin and purpose of this event, please got to www.rememberingourdead.org. For more information about the 2009 Indianapolis event, including how to volunteer time or resources, please contact Claire at cdana@intraa.org.

Co-sponsored by INTRAA (Indiana Transgender Rights Advocacy Alliance) and the Unitarian Universalist Church of Indianapolis.

IE's Second Annual Holiday Event!

2009-11-07T15:47:39-05:00

Indiana Equality presents Holiday IN the Old Northside Thursday, December 10, 2009 - 6:00pm 1238 North Park Avenue, Indianapolis Tickets: $80 Indiana Equality cordially invites you to join with friends and supporters as we celebrate the accomplishments of the year and further the cause of equality for all Hoosiers! Enjoy delectable soups, breads and desserts from renowned restaurants and chefs from across Central Indiana amid a truly historic and festive setting. Entertainment provided throughout the evening by Deb Mullins. A silent auction with many unique items will also be featured along with a cash bar. Ticket price includes one complimentary drink. Please RSVP online or call 888-567-0750 Questions? Contact Indiana Equality at ieinfo@indianaequality.org
About the Venue The 1873 Italianate house was known for decades as the home of the Saenger Chor, a German social club. The home has been restored to its nineteenth-century appearance except for the basement where the German-styled bar has been retained in honor of the landmark’s social club era. Parking Parking is available along the street on Park Avenue and 13th Street. Additional parking is located one block south in the lot across from the historic Morris-Butler Home on 12th Street. Indiana Equality The mission of Indiana Equality (IE) is to end discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in Indiana. IE seeks such equality by facilitating and coordinating the efforts of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and allied communities. IE focuses its efforts through a number of activities and programs including issues engagement, community mobilization, public outreach and research. IE is a 501(c)(3) organization, contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. For more information, see our website at www.indianaequality.org

Indiana Equality is a 501(c)(3) organization. Contributions are deductible to the extent allowed by law.

The Busy World Is Hushed

2009-11-06T09:00:00-05:00

The Busy World Is Hushed

by Keith Bunin
Directed by Molly Bellner

NOVEMBER 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15

Fri. & Sat. 8 pm--Sun. 6 pm

A moving look at religion, faith,
and the complexities of the human heart.

Hannah (Kathy Pataluch), a minister and Bible scholar, finds her faith at odds with that of Thomas(Adam Phillips), her estranged, wayward son. But when an inquisitive young writer, Brandt (Jay Hemphill), hired to assist Hannah with her latest publication learns painful secrets from Hannah's past, she spies a risky, unconventional opportunity for reconciliation. A portrait of faith and belief in modern times, the story shines a light on how three individuals invest their belief in the past, the present and what they cannot see but know to be real.

Tickets $12 • $10 Students & Seniors
Call 767-2774 for reservations

On opening night, Spotlight Players will be dedicating its new stage in honor of the late Edward Dreyling. Additionally, we will be awarding the first annual Edward N. Dreyling Memorial Scholarship. 10% of all proceeds from events on the Dreyling Stage will go to support the Scholarship.

We hope you can join us Friday, November 6th for the stage dedication, scholarship awarding, and reception as we celebrate the life and contributions of our dear friend. The reception will begin at 7:30 PM before the 8:00 PM performance.

Indy Rainbow Chamber of Commerce Board Elections

2009-11-05T09:00:00-05:00

The Indianapolis Rainbow Chamber of Commerce has elected to its board of directors the following:

Tara Betterman, Fentress Property Management, Inc. (Chairperson)

Anita Sloat, H.J. Spier Co., Inc. (President)

Bob Chenoweth, TipTopics LLC (Secretary, Marketing and Communications Director)

Jeff Newman, IndyNetWORX (Treasurer and Past Chairperson)

Jon Keep, independent consultant (Member and Past Chairperson)

JJ Gufreda, GEI, Inc. (Member)

Niki Steveson, Farmers Insurance Group (Member)

Joe Watson, University Place Conference Center & Hotel (Events and Programs Coordinator)

Ginna Fenton, FIVE Career Advisors (Member)

James Kuester, Küster Design (Past President)

Barbara Milton, Buchanan Group (Member)

Let’s Talk

2009-11-04T08:35:29-05:00

fostering dialogue about sexual orientation and gender identity

PRESENTS

“Let’s Talk”
Parents of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) People
Share Their Story

“Homophobia Series, 2005” photo display
by Gina Pope-King

Facilitated Panel Discussion by parents, family therapists, school counselors and local social workers.
Audience Question & Answer Discussion follows.

Wednesday, November 4^th

6:30pm at Unitarian Universalist Congregation
7850 W Goeller Road

snacks provided
Teens and Adults of all sexual orientations are welcome!
Childcare provided

People Make the Place

2009-11-03T10:16:55-05:00

Heads up on an upcoming event in Indianapolis!

An event featuring shared stories and experiences, as well as art by young people from Indiana Youth Group, transform a simple classroom into a wonderfully diverse community of unconditional support, security, and acceptance. Reverend Barbara Child, Unitarian Universalist Church of Indianapolis, will lead a discussion to explore how people, more than spaces, inspire place. Presented by Indianapolis PFLAG (Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays), Indiana Youth Group, and St. Luke's United Methodist Church. Questions? Call 317-545-7034 or e-mail info@indypflag.org. For more information please see the website here.

Sunday, November 08, 2009 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
at St. Luke's United Methodist Church
100 W. 86th St., Indianapolis, IN 46260