FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The Indiana University Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, and Others Alumni Association (LGBTQ+AA) will host its 11th annual celebration weekend Feb. 1–2 to coincide with the Bloomington PRIDE Film Festival.
“This is a wonderful celebration of spirit, pride, and fellowship,” J T. Forbes, CEO of the IU Alumni Association, said. "The LGBTQ+ Alumni Association has put together a festive and memorable experience for all alumni. I hope many will come and join us for this weekend.”
This year’s events will include an awards reception on Feb. 1 in the Tudor Room at the Indiana Memorial Union and an alumni reception/silent auction on Feb. 2 at the FAR Center for Contemporary Arts, 595 W. Fourth St. Everyone is also welcome to attend the LGBTQ+AA annual board meeting on Feb. 2 from 10 a.m.–noon at the DeVault Alumni Center, 1000 E. 17th St.
“We are pleased to hold our IU LGBTQ+ alumni celebration weekend in February. It’s the time of year when we can put the welcome mat out for alumni, friends, and allies of the IU LGBTQ+ community,” Cindy Stone, president of the LGBTQ+ Alumni Association said. “We look forward to recognizing our distinguished alumni as well as gathering for food, live music, and our annual auction at the Saturday soirée.”
During the awards reception, the LGBTQ+AA will honor Jeff Richardson with the 2019 Distinguished Alumni Award. Richardson, BA’73, JD’77, MPA’81, played soccer, served as student body president, and was the first full-time student elected to the Bloomington City Council.
Since 1983, Richardson has dedicated his life to securing aid for those affected by HIV/AIDS all across the globe. His past honors include the IU Distinguished Alumni Service Award, the university's highest award given only to an alumna or alumnus; the Sagamore of the Wabash; MAP International’s Health and Hope Award; and GlobeMed’s 21st Century Health Champion Award.
Doug Bauder, director of the LGBTQ+ Culture Center on the Bloomington campus, will also recognize the winners of the 2019 Spirit Awards.
Friday’s reception is free and Saturday’s celebration tickets are $20. You can purchase tickets and register for events at go.iu.edu/29qCor by contacting IUAA Associate Director of Alumni Communities Reuben Rifin at rrifin@iu.edu or 812-855-2822.
The LGBTQ+ Alumni Association is an affiliate group of the IU Alumni Association. As one of the nation's largest alumni organizations, with more than 690,000 graduates worldwide, the IUAA is dedicated to bringing alumni, students, and friends together through live events, webinars, scholarship programs, and traditions.
