As many of you know, I'm a proud founder of the Indiana Action Network, Indiana's only direct action LGBT organization. Whether we were disrupting Eric Miller's KKK-style rallies, distributing "WANTED" posters of anti-gay politicians, protesting Brian Bosma's fundraiser or working as a coalition partner fighting for gay rights with the grassroots, we've done our part to make life better for Hoosier LGBT folk.
While we recently left the IE coalition, we've continued our tradition of working in conjunction with other orgs that are willing to get the work done without the hassle of spending as much time on turf battles. The Greater Indianapolis Fairness Alliance is one such group. GIFA has registered thousands of LGBT voters, supported LGBT friendly candidates and their signature gathering action during the Indy HRO battle was a crucial part of our success.
GIFA and IAN co-sponsored last night's fundraiser for Republican City-County Councilor Scott Keller and during the event GIFA president Kevin Fyffe and I made an announcement I'd like to share with all of you...
GIFA and IAN are merging into one state-wide organization. We're going to call it Indiana Fairness Network. Kevin and I will be co-presidents in the beginning. We're combining our boards, our missions, and our resources. As is necessary in any type of organizing, we'll work together to defeat our common enemies - intolerance and discrimination.
As IAN's president, I'm very proud of our decision to merge with GIFA. IFN will be a fulfillment of everything that IAN and GIFA's founders strove for - direct involvement in the political process by rewarding our friends and pointing out the follies of our opposition.
While we're in the process of merging the two groups and combining our mailing lists, putting up a new website, etc., feel free to leave a comment on this post to get added to the IFN mailing list. Traffic will be light, don't worry!
We'll see you in the trenches - all of us together.
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4 Comments
Bil -
Congratulations on the merger and the creation of the Indiana Fairness Network! This has to be a very proud moment for you!
David | July 19, 2007 5:53 PM
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Congratulations! I'm sure that your combined efforts will be even more of a force to be reckoned with.
mike | July 19, 2007 10:52 PM
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Gee.... you just missed having the initials F.I.N. Imagine what you could have done with that! I hope you can, I'm having trouble with that.....
Lynn David | July 20, 2007 4:46 AM
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All of us at IFN are excited about the grassroots work we'll be able to accomplish with everyone focused on getting the work done. We may not have all the resources that some of the larger groups have, but we have plenty of spirit and drive! Thanks for the compliments, everyone!
Bil Browning | July 20, 2007 1:39 PM
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