June marks Pride Month, and local organizations in Crawfordsville and Montgomery County are hosting events and offering support to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community.
Pride Month’s origination stemmed from the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in New York City, specifically when LGBTQ+ people resisted a police raid at the Stonewall Inn on June 28, 1969. The protests inspired a national movement, and the first Pride march took place a year later on the resistance’s anniversary in New York.
In 1999, President Bill Clinton declared June “Gay and Lesbian Pride Month.” Later administrations expanded the recognition to include the broader LGBTQ+ population.
Locally, organizations including Facilitation, Advocacy and Empowerment and Crawfordsville Pride have several events planned to celebrate the during the month.
FAE is hosting a community Pitch-In at Milligan Park on June 27, from 5 to 9 p.m. The event includes live music, food trucks, outdoor games and a family-style cookout. Attendees are encouraged to bring a dish that starts with the first letter of their first name, along with games or instruments to share.
On June 28, FAE will screen two episodes of FX’s miniseries PRIDE at the Crawfordsville District Public Library to mark the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. The group also recently launched the FAE Creatives Guild and will host its first monthly Writer’s Workshop, QWERTY, on June 21.
Indiana Youth Group, which serves LGBTQ+ youth across the state, is also recognizing the importance of the month.
“IYG wishes everyone a joyous and gentle Pride Month,” said Director Kara Riley. “As we honor this powerful time of year, we remember that Pride began as a protest ... Their defiance sparked a global movement for equity.”
“That’s why IYG exists — for LGBTQ+ young people in Indiana to have a place where they are not only safe, but seen, supported, and celebrated,” Riley said. “So, this month — and every month — we invite LGBTQ+ young people to be joyful. To be defiant. To be proud. We see you. We support you. We celebrate you.”
Crawfordsville Pride continues to provide year-round support through education, harm reduction services and inclusive programming. The group will also participate in Humans United for Equality’s Celebration of Unity on Sept. 6 at Pike Place.
“Pride Month is a meaningful time to recognize the history, resilience, and ongoing fight for equality within the LGBTQIA+ community,” Crawfordsville Pride said in a statement. “Supporting LGBTQIA+ people locally starts with showing up — whether by attending events, volunteering, donating, advocating for inclusive policies, or simply creating space where everyone feels seen and respected.”
“I hope people take away a sense of community, love, acceptance, and resources they need,” said Tressa Valentine, Community Outreach Coordinator for Crawfordsville Pride. “That others see we are just humans wanting to live our lives.”
“Pride organizations in small towns are not just event planners — they’re vital lifelines,” said Morgan Vesey. “They create safe havens and offer essential resources within the communities they serve.”
“Pride celebrations are a vital display of support for all in the LGBTQIA+ Community, especially in small or rural towns like Crawfordsville, where marginalized people often feel unseen, unheard, and unloved,” said Communications Director Courtney Houghton. “It has never been more important for us to show up in mass to let ALL people know they are enough, they are perfect just as they are, and they have support in their community.”
“The more compassion we show to others, the more we grow together and strengthen our community,” said Vice Director Ben Gregory.
Crawfordsville Pride will host its second Annual Pride Festival on Sept. 28, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Pike Place. The group moved the festival to the fall for cooler weather and to involve students from Wabash College. The event includes live music, drag performances, food vendors and local organizations.
The organization is currently accepting donations, sponsors and volunteer sign-ups. Plans for a permanent LGBTQ+ Center in Crawfordsville are underway, with a goal to open by 2030.
Upcoming Pride Events in Montgomery County:
• June 21 — QWERTY Writer’s Workshop (monthly series), Wabash Avenue Presbyterian Church, 6:30-8 p.m.
• June 27 — Equality Day Pitch-In, Milligan Park, 5-9 p.m.
• June 28 — PRIDE Screening, Crawfordsville District Public Library, 12 p.m.
• Sept. 6 — HUE’s Celebration of Unity, Pike Place, 4-8 p.m.
• Sept. 28 — Second Annual Crawfordsville Pride Festival, Pike Place, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
For more information, visit www.crawfordsvillepride.org or email info@crawfordsvillepride.org.
