Pride in Bloomington | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Pride in Bloomington

30
Pride in Bloomington
Sam Stegall

When you think of places that typically come across as open-minded Indiana doesn’t really come to mind.

This idea seemed especially true when the state received heavy criticism for passing the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, or RFRA, early last year. Which was one of the first laws of its kind that was seen as allowing discrimination against the LGBT community.

However, even after a year since RFRA was signed into law, Bloomington has remained incredibly welcoming to LGBT individuals.

Walking downtown you can see multiple businesses displaying pride flags in their windows and saying that they are open to serving anyone.

Honestly, I am proud to live in a community where people of all genders and sexual orientations can live and be unafraid of being themselves.

I have friends from all over the LGBT community. They are an important part of my life, so knowing they live in a community where they feel safe and free to express themselves makes me worry about them so much less.

Not only are businesses in Bloomington sympathetic and open to the LGBT community, but there are many different support groups that help individuals take pride in their identities.

Prism Youth Community is a group specifically for people ages 12 to 20.

The Unitarian Universalist Church is very vocal about the fact they are welcoming to the LGBT individuals in their congregation.

Bloomington PRIDE works to organize services and puts on events for and to represent the LGBTQ community such as the PRIDE Film Festival.

This is only a fraction of the outreach that is available in Bloomington, and doesn’t even include Indiana University. The college has its own lengthy list of groups and hosts the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Support Center on Seventh Street.

Bloomington has also been recognized nationally for how welcoming the community is.

It has been called the fourth gayest city by the gay news outlet “The Advocate.” Also, it has received a perfect score on the Human Rights Campaign’s (the largest LGBT civil rights advocacy group) 2015 Municipal Equality Index.

With all this in mind you can understand why I’m so proud of where I live, but what really made me certain about my feelings was how the city responded to the tragedy in Orlando.

Needless to say what happened at the PULSE nightclub is still hard to believe. However last Tuesday, June 14, Bloomington showed its support with a candlelight vigil outside city hall on Morton Street.

The large parking lot was full of people coming to show their solidarity with the victims.

Speakers delivered a message encouraging love for all people, LGBT individuals to feel pride in themselves, and change so that a tragedy like what happened in Orlando never happens again.

The ceremony concluded in somewhat silence after the names of the victims had been read leaving a feeling of somber respect in the air.

Reflecting back the service defined how I feel about Bloomington. I live in a loving community that will accept you no matter who you are.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

15 Times Michael Scott's Life Was Worse Than Your Life

Because have you ever had to endure grilling your foot on a George Foreman?

2422
Michael Scott
NBC

Most of the time, the world's (self-proclaimed) greatest boss is just that, the greatest. I mean, come on, he's Michael Freakin' Scott after all! But every once in a while, his life hits a bit of a speed bump. (or he actually hits Meredith...) So if you personally are struggling through a hard time, you know what they say: misery loves company! Here are 15 times Michael Scott's life was worse than your life:

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

12 Midnight NYE: Fun Ideas!

This isn't just for the single Pringles out there either, folks

16992
Friends celebrating the New Years!
StableDiffusion

When the clock strikes twelve midnight on New Year's Eve, do you ever find yourself lost regarding what to do during that big moment? It's a very important moment. It is the first moment of the New Year, doesn't it seem like you should be doing something grand, something meaningful, something spontaneous? Sure, many decide to spend the moment on the lips of another, but what good is that? Take a look at these other suggestions on how to ring in the New Year that are much more spectacular and exciting than a simple little kiss.

Keep Reading...Show less
piano
Digital Trends

I am very serious about the Christmas season. It's one of my favorite things, and I love it all from gift-giving to baking to the decorations, but I especially love Christmas music. Here are 11 songs you should consider adding to your Christmas playlists.

Keep Reading...Show less
campus
CampusExplorer

New year, new semester, not the same old thing. This semester will be a semester to redeem all the mistakes made in the previous five months.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

Let's face it, last semester you woke up with enough time to brush your teeth and get to class and even then you were about 10 minutes late and rollin' in with some pretty unfortunate bed head. This semester we will set our alarms, wake up with time to get ready, and get to class on time!

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

The 5 Painfully True Stages Of Camping Out At The Library

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

3638
woman reading a book while sitting on black leather 3-seat couch
Photo by Seven Shooter on Unsplash

And so it begins.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

Camping out at the library is not for the faint of heart. You need to go in as a warrior. You usually have brought supplies (laptop, chargers, and textbooks) and sustenance (water, snacks, and blanket/sweatpants) since the battle will be for an undetermined length of time. Perhaps it is one assignment or perhaps it's four. You are motivated and prepared; you don’t doubt the assignment(s) will take time, but you know it couldn’t be that long.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments