“I thought I’d have to beg John to take the stuff,” Tuchman said. Tuchman wondered if the historical society would be interested in a donation of his personal papers. Tuchman, an Indianapolis immigration attorney, civic leader and arts patron who as a 68-year-old gay man has seen a transformation in the area’s attitudes.Īt a party a year ago Tuchman ran into the historical society’s CEO, John A. “There’s a realization that there’s a whole culture here, and it’s significant and interesting,” said Steven L. And last month the Indiana Historical Society announced it is launching its own effort to gather artifacts and documents of local gay history. Indiana Landmarks, the state’s largest historic preservation group, a year ago launched its LGBT Heritage program and began tracking down sites that played a role in Indianapolis’ gay culture in years past. The doings were front page news for days.īut another, quieter LGBT victory is unfolding in a different and less obvious setting - the halls of history.
Supreme Court, by letting stand a lower court ruling, in effect legalized same-sex marriage in Indiana. The October decision prompted great celebrations in Indiana’s gay community.