Indiana State University, Pride Center, settle federal lawsuit
That's according to a joint statement regarding the settlement of a federal lawsuit filed by the Pride Center of Terre Haute against the university.
ISU, the Pride Center and city of Terre Haute issued a joint statement Thursday 'regarding Pride Fest 2025 and the amicable resolution of the lawsuit.'
The ACLU of Indiana filed the suit Feb. 11 in U.S. District Court on behalf of the Pride Center of Terre Haute.
The lawsuit asserted that ISU was violating the First Amendment rights of the Pride Center, and it asked the court to order ISU to allow the Pride Center to hold Pride Fest 2025 on the ISU campus in August 2025, similar to past years.
The lawsuit alleged that ISU, without the The Pride Center's knowledge, secured an agreement from the city of Terre Haute to hold Pride Fest at Fairbanks Park, off campus, in 2025.
Last month, ISU and the Pride Center reached a 'resolution in principle,' according to court documents.
News of the resolution was announced Thursday in joint statement emailed by the university. The complete text said:
'Indiana State University is thankful for the continued partnership with the Pride Center of Terre Haute, and we look forward to the ongoing success of Pride Fest.
'Indiana State University and the Pride Center have agreed to resolve this dispute. Indiana State University will be a non-financial sponsor of the 2025 festival and looks forward to working with the Pride Center and student organizations on issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community. In turn, the city of Terre Haute is proud to host Pride Fest 2025 at Fairbanks Park, this September.'
The Pride Center, a nonprofit organization serving LGBTQ+ individuals in and around Vigo County, held Pride Fest on the ISU campus in both 2023 and 2024.
The festival was sponsored each year by ISU, according to ACLU. It was staged in the Quad, an open area on the ISU campus designated for 'expressive activity' by both ISU policies and Indiana law.
Katie Lugar, Pride Center president, referred comment to the ACLU of Indiana.
The Tribune-Star has reached out to the ACLU for comment.
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