Pride in Bloomington
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Pride in Bloomington

28
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.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

58327
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

37574
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

959195
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

193348
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments