Background and History
Diversity Center was started by a grass roots organization led by Ken Shay and Ruth Peters. This grass roots effort started after Ken attended Visions '91. Visions '91 was organized by Chris Gonzalez (IYG) and Dennis Stover (Indiana Cares) to bring the leadership of the GLBT communities for the purpose of developing visions for our future. One recurring theme from each workgroup was the need for a sense of community -- beginning with a physical location to bring us together.
After attempting several different methodologies, Ken and Ruth joined forces in 1992 and began a concerted effort to establish and open a GLBT Community Center for Indianapolis. Momentum grew, and with an initial donation from The Rev. Howard Warren, Diversity Incorporated was formed with the sole purpose of opening Diversity Center. Incorporation brought about organization and a tax-deductible status (501c3).
Diversity Center opened in March of 1994 in the lower level of the Indiana Civil Liberties Union. This space represented a number of compromises, however it provided almost 3,500 square feet at a very reasonable cost. Rental of this space allowed Diversity Center to open and begin providing services much sooner than if we waited until we could own our own building or spend money on higher-rent space.
After a change in management with ICLU and subsequent growth, ICLU was in need of the space which Diversity had been occupying. With much determination and after months of searching for a new home, a space was found at 723 Massachusetts Ave to house The Chris Gonzalez Library and Archives (CGLA). The CGLA consists of 3500 different titles and over 6,000 volumes on gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered topics. The archives contain an extensive collection of print, photographic and other artifacts that are specific to the Central Indiana/Indianpolis GLBT community. Many of the archive items are one-of-a-kind.
During this moving process which took place in early 2000, Diversity, Inc. chose to change its focus and mission. The group no longer has as a goal to provide a community center or to offer space to other groups as had been done in the past. It was decided that we are an information organization. We will focus on providing information services at our website gayindy.org and provide space for the CGLA. The CGLA does however seem well positioned to operate as an impromptu social gathering place, so all is not lost in manner of gathering space. Other services are being reviewed for future offerings.
After a change in ownership at it's Massachusets Avenue home in the summer of 2001, the CGLA was moved to it's present location at 701 North Delaware (on the second floor of Central Christian Church).
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