IYG Timeline
December 1987. The planning began and the kickoff dance was set. The dance was held in a store front Gay church on Illinois and 38th streets. Three youth showed up and the D.J.'s speakers blew up . . . Back to the drawing board!
February 1988. The first IYG educational and support meeting was held in Chris Gonzalez and his partner Jeff Werner's front room. Three youth showed up and they began to meet every other Thursday night. Within six months the front room was packed and they had to move the furniture out of the room to make room for all the youth. Over 35 young people were attending.
January 1989. The IYG receives its first grant from the Indiana State Board of Health for $12,450 and begins to meet at the Damien Center (a social service aagency for persons with HIV/AIDS). The youth group is averaging 50-65 young people at each meeting.
January 1990. The IYG begins to setup chapters across Indiana (some youth were drivine 2 - 3 hours, one-way, to attend the IYG meetings in Indianapolis). Today the IYG has 10 chapters across Indiana and more on the way. Indiana is the only state with a network of support systems for Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual youth.
July 1990. The IYG is invited to present at the National Gay and Lesbian Health Conference in Washington D.C. The IYG raised funds to take 12 youth to this conference. The IYG was spotlighted as a model program for the nation.
March 1991. The IYG receives a grant from the U.S. Conference of Mayors to start the nation's first (and to-date, only) toll-free peer counseling Hot Line.
April 1991. The IYG holds its first peer counseling training.
June 1991. The IYG begins its Street Outreach Program, taking its educational message to the streets of Indianapolis.
July 1991. The IYG receives a grant from the Health Foundation of Greater Indianapolis to purchase the IYG Youth Center.
March 1992. The IYG is featured on ABC's 20/20 as a model program which is leading the way in saving the lives of Gay and Lesbian youth.
May 1992. The IYG purchases a building which will become the IYG Youth Center, one of only three facilities dedicated solely to Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual youth in the U.S.
August 1992. The IYG holds its first meeting at the new IYG Youth Center.
October 1992. Youth Center is open seven nights a week, providing a safe place for youth and healthy social, educational and supportive activities. The center is supervised at all times by IYG staff or trained volunteers.
January 1993. Over 350 youth from across the United States and the World are members of the IYG Pen-Pal Network.
March 1993. The IYG receives a $150,000 grant from the VanMeringen Foundation to continue the IYG Youth Hot Line through 1993.
April 1993 The Joseph F. Miller Matching Funds Campaign nets over $20,000 to help renovate the new IYG Youth Center and to help support IYG programming.
July 1993. The IYG takes 50 youth to the National March on Washington for Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Rights and Liberation.
August 1993. Over 5,000 Indiana youth have come "Face-To-Face" with the IYG program since it began six years prior. Tens of thousands of youth from across the U.S. have called the IYG Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual Youth Hot Line.
November 1993. IYG is notified it will participate in a three year grant titled "Indiana Youth Access Project." The IYG expands it staff by adding the position of Mental Health Advocate.
The success of IYG has been acknowledged by NBC News, Time Magazine, ABC's 20/20, Black Entertainment Television, The Front Page (Fox Network), The Advocate and hundreds of Gay and Mainstream newspapers across the country.
December 1993. IYG is notified it will participate in a three year grant titled "Indiana Youth Access Project". IYG expands its staff by adding the positio of Metal Health Advocate.
January 1994. IYG opens its first house for independent living called the IYG Living Program. This is a resource for youth age 18 - 20 in need of transitional housing. This IYG prgram existe until March of 1995.
An Outreach Coordinator is added to the IYG staff. The Outreach Team accesses street youth defined as "high risk" youth. The Outreach Team provides information, education and support.
A Case Manager is added to the IYG Staff. This position involves assisting youth with individualized needs with emphasis on education, employment and housing.
February 1994. A Receptionist joins the IYG staff.
March 1994. IYG adds four additional staff offices to the IYG Youth Center.
May 1994. IYG Founder and First Executive Director, Chris Gonzalez, passes away. Jeff Werner, Chris' life partner becomes the new IYG Executive Director.
March 1995. A Nurse Practinioner is hired to provide health screenings, STD testing, and holistic health education and counseling.
May 1995. IYG holds their 4th annual prom.
IYG holds their first Family and Friends of Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexuals Group, concurrent with the IYG Group meetings.
September 1995. IYG hosts the 1st Annual National Youth Festival. Attracting over 75 youth from all over the U.S. this special event was held in conjunction with the 14th Annual International PFLAG Convention.
November 1995. IYG celebrates its volunteers from throughout the eleven IYG Statewide Chapters with Thanksgiving Dinner served by IG staff and youth.
January 1996. IYG Youth Leadership Team is elected to plan IYG youth activities.
February 1996. IYG video "We Are Not Invisible" is available for distribution through IYG. This excellent educational video comes with a workbook which addresses importat issues of gay, lesbian and bi-sexual youth.
March 1996. HIV confidential and anonymous testing is available for youth at the IYG Youth Center.
May 1996. IYG holds their 5th annual prom.
October 1996. IYG Executive Director, Jeff Werner, resigns his position de to heal reasons.
IYG hosts the 2nd Annual National Youth Festival. This Fesival is held in Washington, D.C. in conjunction with the 15th Annual International PFLAG Convention.
December 1996. IYG receives a two year renewal of the "Indiana Youth Acccess Project" grant.
January 1997. Jeff Werner, IYG's second Executive Director, passes away.
IYG-Indianapolis begins hosting the monthly IYG Coffee House, an evening of poetry reading, story-telling and self-expression. This popular youth social activity is regularly attended by many youth.
April 1997. IYG hires its third Executive Director, Steve Laughner. Other new staff members are added. Staff positions are reorganized.
May 1997. IYG holds their 6th annual prom.
June 1997. IYG Executive Director and staff members visit the Chapter sites throughout Indiana. IYG is present in eleven cities throughout the state. Indiana is the only state with a network of support systems for gay, lesbian and bi-sexual youth.
IYG Youth Center has new hours. Trained, professional staff members are available for youth Tuesday through Saturday each week. Every new youth is personally and individually interviewed upon becoming an IYG member.
August 1997. IYG Youth Council is renewed. Interested Youth write essays and are interviewed by the IYG staff for a place on the Youth Leadership Council.
October 1997. IYG appears on national known gay TV program, "In the Life."
Back to History Page
Return to IYG Home Page.