INDIANAPOLIS – In 2016, Indiana Landmarks conducted a survey of historic properties in Marion County to identify sites of LGBTQ significance. The criteria included: civil rights, arts, health, businesses, residences, events, organizations, and name affiliations. From that survey, over 104 Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission (IHPC) properties were identified as having LGBTQ significance. IHPC staff, Indiana Landmarks, the State Historic Preservation Office, IUPUI, and the Indiana Historical Society created an ad hoc committee to determine the best course of action to memorialize this history and include in the IHPC’s historic area plans.
City-County Councillor Zach Adamson, along with seven other councillors, introduced a special resolution at the June 3rd City-County Council meeting formally honoring this initiative, which was unanimously approved by the Council. At the June 5th IHPC hearing, the commission approved a similar resolution acknowledging its commitment to the inclusion of this history in all IHPC historic area plans. This effort will take place during the Preserve Indy Initiative, which is the IHPC’s comprehensive update of all 17 historic area plans scheduled to be completed by 2023.