Category: Blog

In the last of our brand refresh series, we are looking at the meaning behind the new logo mark. As you may have noticed, it is based on an asterisk.

“Asterisk: Of Latin origins, meaning “Little Star.”

A typographical symbol used to indicate that there is more than initially observable, subject requires additional research or context to be truly and fully understood. More to discover.”

The symbolism is simple yet elegant. The new logo mark helps to drive home the idea that there is more to the queer community than initially meets the eye. The community is so diverse and wonderful that the only way to truly know it is to be involved and educated. There is always something new to learn and always room to grow. The Latin origin of the name make it doubly fitting. “Little star.” This is exactly what each young person is, a star – unique and beautiful in away only they can be. And when they shine together, it is awe-inspiring.

This logo is an affirmation of our pledge to support the whole person in every individual who comes to IYG.

The shape and colors represent our adaptability and commitment to remain relevant and responsive to the needs of the young people we serve at all current and future locations.

Notice what makes the logo uniform but also different. Purple represents the community of queer young people, but there is not just one shade. The spokes are different shades, shapes, and sizes. This represents that while they are all part of one large community or family, everyone is still unique, diverse, and different – something to be celebrated together.

Take a look at the graphic to see some of the other meanings drawn from the logo: Person, welcome, community, movement/growth, inclusivity.

You may also notice two key variants of the logo that will be used regularly. The shield-shaped logo to the left will appear on staff apparel and materials. This logo represents our staff’s pledge to take up the shield of IYG and defend queer young people, their lives, their rights, their dignity. This is part of how we inspire younger generations and foster them to become the next generation of empowered queer leaders.

The logo to the right is one that will be sported by our volunteers, interns, and board members. In a previous post, we discussed gold representing the community that support queer young people. The golden arc around this logo symbolizes how our community embraces and supports those we serve.

We know that change is difficult, and we hope that, after learning more about the thought and meaning behind the new look, you all will come to love it as much as we do. We appreciate the feedback and discussion regarding the change. We also so greatly appreciate each and every one of you who have reiterated your commitment to supporting us in our mission of empowering LGBTQ+ young people and creating safer space for them. No matter what our logo looks like, no matter what colors we use, our number one priority above all else is to support our youth and young adults and magnify their voices.

We are carrying on the legacy of our founders, Chris Gonzalez and Jeff Werner.

Just as IYG has done since 1987, we are inspiring younger generations.

We are IYG. Then. Now. Forever.

Yesterday, we discussed the significance of the purple and violet shades in our new logo. As expected, this brought up questions regarding the gold in the logo, which leads us directly into today’s piece on the new branding: The Significance of Gold.

Once purple was selected as the new core color, we began to explore options to complement it. Ultimately, we landed on a golden shade of yellow. This makes perfect sense from a color theory standpoint, as purple and yellow are perfect complements on the color wheel. As we looked deeper into the meaning behind the color, we found that it was also complementary to the meanings of purple.

The color gold is often associated with enlightenment, energy, triumph, generosity, power, success, positivity, compassion, caring, prosperity, spirit, loyalty, and achievement.

While these terms also represent the young people we serve, we noticed that they described IYG and the people who help to make the organization successful: Our staff, volunteers, board of directors, interns, donors, and all others in our community who support and uplift the mission. The fact that gold manifests within the logo as a shining sun only punctuates the warm welcome that we strive to extend to each and every young person who comes to IYG for support.

The color gold is not only complimentary in color theory but also its meaning. Team IYG and the young people it serves are complementary to each other. Just as we foster our youth and young adults into becoming thriving members of our communities, they inspire and encourage all of us to do better and be better. Likewise, IYG and the community complement each other. We provide programs, services, and resources that are so vital to younger members of our community, and the community provides the support necessary to make this a reality.

To each and every member of our community that continues to support IYG day in and day out, all year long, Pride Month and beyond, we greatly appreciate you! Thank you for being the gold to our purple. Thank you for helping us to continue inspiring younger generations! Then. Now. Forever.

While reassessing our brand identity, IYG had several options when it came to color. Many different colors and shades were discussed and tried but we kept coming back to shades of purple and violet. Why is that? Well, there are two main reasons, which we will discuss below:

Association with the Queer Community

The color purple has a long history of association with the queer community. In fact, its usage pre-dates the rainbow flag, which was first introduced in 1978. A blending of red/pink and blue, purple has long been associated with the blurring of gender lines – both in the regard to identity and orientation.

The color was often evoked in the writings of queer artists from Sappho to Oscar Wilde. Violet hues took centerstage in the queer cabaret scene of 1920s Germany. “The Lavender Song” became an anthem of those who shirked heteronormativity as well as the gender binary. Performers often wore vibrant costumes in shades of purple or a boutonniere of lilacs and pansies might have been pinned to the lapel.

Toward the midcentury, shades of violet, purple, and lavender only became more and more apparent in the LGBTQ+ community, first as a subtle signal to others in the know and later a sign of resistance and defiance. Paranoia that queer people might be working in the US government in the 1950s was dubbed “The Lavender Scare.” After the Stonewall Uprising of 1969, supporters of the LGBTQ+ movement marched under lavender banners, sporting purple attire. Their group protests became known as the “purple column.” Other groups that sought queer liberation popped up under names such as the Lavender Brotherhood and the Lavender Panthers. Lesbians, femme queers, and trans women became known as “The Lavender Menace” by transgressive feminists; the term that was proudly reclaimed.

From a color originally reserved for royalty to a symbol of queer empowerment and resistance, purple and all its vibrant hues remain popular amongst the LGBTQ+ community. Like the community, the color comes in countless variations of shade, hue, and saturation. Striking and bold, it is also a reminder of the beauty that pops up in some of the most unlikely of places – think of violet wildflowers popping up amongst a dry, colorless prairie or a cluster of lilacs protruding defiantly from an overwhelmingly green garden. Queer young people are a splash of color who pop up in defiance of the world around them. They are unapologetically vibrant and bold. It is for these reasons that the color represents IYG and the young people we serve.

Universal Color Associations

Universally, purple is associated with several meanings and ideas that we felt fitting to our mission. These meanings include: Peace, power, royalty, ambition, pride, dignity, purpose, intuition, wisdom, creativity, spirit, devotion, and independence. These words make up the very essence of the LGBTQ+ community and those we serve. We are proud to be associated with these individuals and the spirit they represent.

Since launching our refreshed brand on Saturday, we have been asked the same question several times: “What happened to the rainbow?”

Therefore, we wanted to take a moment to explain why our branding has moved beyond the longstanding icon.

When IYG was founded in 1987, white cisgender gay individuals made up the vast majority of the youth we served. In fact, that demographic made up much of the visible LGBTQ+ community. As time has gone on, we have seen that change – especially in the last 3-5 years. Today IYG serves a wide range of queer young people of diverse sexual, gender, and racial/ethnic identities.

We also have the privilege of knowledge and perspective that earlier advocates did not. In 2024, more and more organizations are becoming aware of the importance of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB), IYG included. In reassessing IYG’s image, we thought very carefully about colors and symbols and the meanings they hold. We also discussed this at length with those we serve and members of our community. In these discussions, many individuals were brave enough to share the fact that they simply do not feel represented by the rainbow. This goes back to the fact that the symbol is most strongly associated with a small portion of the queer community.

Historically underrepresented populations such as gender diverse (transgender, nonbinary, agender, intersex) individuals, People of Color, and those with underrepresented sexualities (aromantic, asexual, demisexual) often feel that this symbol is not for them. While efforts have been made to add more colors to progress pride flags, it can still leave these groups feeling like an afterthought when we add representation to something that wasn’t built for them in the first place. Adding diversity does not always equate to increased equity, inclusion, or belonging. We must strive to build all four elements.

For these reasons, IYG opted not to rebrand with a new rainbow logo that included more colors. Additionally, as time goes on and our community becomes more enlightened to complexities and diversity of queer identities, it would become infeasible to continually add new colors and symbols. Therefore, we decided to steer a whole new direction and come up with a logo and color scheme that is uniquely IYG and representative of the young people we serve.

In no way does our new brand intend to “take the gay away” or “hide.” It is simply meant to be welcoming and inclusive to all queer people and promote that all are welcome at IYG regardless of their sexuality, gender identity, or race/ethnicity.

Furthermore, we wish to emphasize that in no way is IYG attempting to “cancel” the rainbow. It still has its place in our community – especially progressive versions. In fact, if you visit us at an upcoming pride event, you will find that the rainbow is still present alongside other pride flags and symbols. If the rainbow resonates with and represents you, sport it with pride! The rainbow will undoubtedly continue to be a symbol of pride; however, it is no longer the symbol of IYG and the young people we serve.

If you are still wondering how we landed on the colors and symbol that we did, please continue to follow our social media, as we will have more posts detailing the new look of IYG and how it came to be. Happy Pride!

The decision of the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals to uphold Indiana’s ban on gender affirming care for youth is as infuriating as it is heartbreaking. This law is harmful and damaging to the trans and nonbinary youth of Indiana. We are so disappointed that the powers-that-be continue to attack and victimize this already marginalized and disenfranchised population of Hoosiers.

Once again, IYG will stand in defiance of those who wish to do harm to our community’s young people. We are here to support and serve trans, nonbinary, and all gender expansive youth and their families however we can. We have been fighting for queer youth for 37 years and we will continue fighting. Why? Because LGBTQ+ young people are valid and deserve the same liberties, rights, and happiness as every other citizen.

IYG’s doors and hearts are open to all LGBTQ+ young people ages 12-24 and their families during this difficult time and always.

We ask that you please stand with us in support of our young people. For more information on how, please visit www.indianayouthgroup.org

Friends and supporters of IYG,

It is with joy that I share with you Indiana Youth Group’s 2022 Annual Report. The LGBTQ+ community continues to have obstacles thrown at us daily, and we continue to rise above; love will always be louder. Please take a few moments to read the report and see how we’ve served Indiana’s LGBTQ+ young people and how we are continuing the work into 2023.

So many exciting things have already happened this year with expansion to another site in Crawfordsville and new additions to the IYG staff.

Thank you all for continuing to support IYG and the amazing individuals it serves. IYG continues to flourish after 36 years because of your help, and we are all so incredibly grateful! I hope you will continue to help us in serving queer youth and young adults and consider making a contribution today if you are able.

Sincerely,

Laura Hannum
Marketing & Engagement Specialist
Indiana Youth Group

2022 Annual Report

This month’s Spotlight Award winner is the second IYG staff member to join the “Double Win Club,” having won her first Spotlight Award last June. Congratulations to Valerie Murphy-Clark, better known around IYG as “Miss Val.” Val serves as Lead Case Manager for Project Prism and has been part of the team since February 2022. She discovered IYG shortly after relocating to Indianapolis and getting married. When she first heard about our organization and what we do, she knew it was the perfect job for her, as she has enjoyed working with young adults throughout her 30-year career in social services. When asked what she loves best about working at IYG, Val said, “I love the atmosphere and the team. Just like raising kids, it takes a village – the same is said with the work we do. It takes a village.” Outside of work, Val enjoys cooking, reading, music, and roller skating. She is a family person at heart and loves spending her time with friends and families.