Indianapolis - The Indianapolis Rainbow Chamber of Commerce has acquired the website GayIndy.Org according to Jeff Newman, GayIndy's webmaster. Newman also currently serves as Chair of the Indy Rainbow Chamber.

Founded in 1995, the GayIndy website has been operated by Newman as a solo volunteer since its former owner, Diversity, Inc., was dissolved in 2002. The Indy Rainbow Chamber was founded in 2002, and serves GLBT-owned businesses and allies in central Indiana.

"I had been keeping my eyes open for an organizational owner for GayIndy since Diversity called it quits five years ago," states Newman, "and I feel like the Chamber has grown to where it has become a perfect fit." From just a handful of local businesses in 2001, the Indy Rainbow Chamber has expanded to over 125 members, experiencing a nearly 30 percent increase in membership in 2007 alone.

Indy Rainbow Chamber President James Kuester sees benefits for both the Indianapolis GLBT community and the Indy Rainbow Chamber, calling it a "win-win situation". "We believe the resources of the Chamber will make GayIndy a better site for the community," Kuester states, "while also adding value to Chamber membership with an expanded online presence."

A new combined GayIndy and Indy Rainbow Chamber website is currently in production, with an expected launch date of February 1, 2008.