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The American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana has sued Indiana State University, alleging the school violated the First Amendment when it terminated funding for student workers at a local non-profit organization that supports LGBTQ+ individuals and offers services to the community at large.
The Pride Center of Terre Haute, Inc., an organization that advocates for LGBTQ+ individuals in and around Vigo County, is almost entirely operated by volunteers but has been able to use student workers from ISU who are paid in part by the Pride Center and in part by federal work-study funds and grants from the Sycamore Community Work Program, both of which are administered by the university, according to court documents.
However, following a U.S. Department of Justice “Best Practices” statement for complying with new federal anti-discrimination laws, the school terminated the work-study and other funding for student workers at the Pride Center, leaving the organization to find grants elsewhere for the time being.
The Pride Center stated in its complaint on Monday that although the organization was established to serve and advocate for the LGBTQ+ community in the area, its services are open to all, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation. Some of the services it says it provides are HIV testing, educational seminars, game nights, trivia contests and classes, which are “open to all.”
“Given the fact that the Pride Center does not discriminate, there is no justification for ISU’s actions,” said Ken Falk, legal director for ACLU of Indiana, in a public statement. “The decision to defund this program is clearly based on the Pride Center’s support and advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community, all of which is supported by the First Amendment.”
The university did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
According to the complaint, the contracts between the Pride Center and the vice president of university engagement, who administers the Sycamore Community Work Program and the federal work-study funds, state that the Pride Center would reimburse the university for a portion of the monies paid to the students by the program or funds.
The Pride Center has been open since 2021, and ISU students have been employed there through the program and federal funds since 2022.
As of early August, there were four ISU students employed on a part-time basis through the Work Program and the federal work-study funds.
According to court documents, on Aug. 8, the Pride Center received an email from the executive director of career services at ISU saying the university would not be funding federal work study or Sycamore Community Works positions for fiscal year 2025-26.
“Guidance issued by the U.S. Department of Justice for recipients of federal funding identifies ‘Best Practices’ to avoid discriminatory practices,” the email stated. “This Guidance advises public universities that fund student employment positions that support programs or activities that allocate benefits or roles based on protected characteristics, including sexual orientation or gender identity, is unlawful. Consistent with this Guidance from the DOJ, Indiana State may not require applicants to hold a particular identity-based viewpoint.”
The Pride Center disagrees with the university’s conclusion, denying any discrimination.
“The Pride Center is dedicated to making the Wabash Valley a more inclusive place for everyone,” said Ian Braly, board secretary for the Pride Center, in a public statement. “As part of that, we offer services and support for people from all walks of life. These services are vital to the Terre Haute area , as are the student workers who help us provide them. Those who rely on us need our support now more than ever, and we just want to continue our mission to serve the community.”
This is not the first time this year the ACLU has brought a lawsuit against ISU on behalf of the Pride Center. In April, the two parties settled following the university’s decision to deny the Pride Center permission to hold its annual Pride Fest on campus in 2025, despite the event being held there the past two years.
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