Indiana Youth Group

Indiana Youth Group (IYG) is a LGBTQ advocacy group based in Indianapolis Indiana, founded by Christopher T. Gonzalez.

History
The Indiana Youth Group was founded by Chris Gonzalez and his partner, Jeff Werner, in 1989. Chris Gonzalez worked as a counselor at the Gay and Lesbian Switchboard in Indianapolis. They found that queer youth in Indiana often needed guidance and a safe space to grow. Meetings started in the Damien Center, and eventually included educational and social gatherings. In 1991, they started to provide assistance to homeless youth. They created Indiana's first Gender and Sexuality Alliance Network in 2005 and reached out to Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis specifically around 2006. In 2007, the IYG formally took on the Indiana Youth Group title rather than the Indianapolis Youth Group and applied for a state license plate. They received the license plate in 2013 after a legal battle with the state. They moved to a location on North Meridian Street in 2017.

They offer programs aimed at aiding LGBTQ+ Youth in Indiana including case management, housing, clothing supplies, food pantry, counseling services, and social activities. Their counseling services is funded by the Colts Foundation.

In 2020, they created Project Prism for unhoused youth in Indiana. In 2021, IYG hosted a Thanksgiving meal for youth. In 2022, they created a youth camp called "Queer Camp."

They also provide services in Crawfordsville, Indiana.

Awards

 * Lamda Legal Leadership Award (2004)
 * Coalition for Homelessness Intervention and Prevention (CHIP) William A. Crawford Public Services Award (2019)
 * Indianapolis Urban League World AIDS Day Youth Services Champion Award (2019)