Indianapolis has a large trans population and is considered to be one of the most transgender friendly places in Indiana.
There are multiple trans friendly venues spread across the city where you can meet trans folks.
I’ll start by covering the city nightlife, then move to the online social communities and online dating scene.
At the end, I’ll cover organizations LGBT+ organizations and other places to meet trans people during the day.
Table of Contents
List of TG Friendly Venues in Indianapolis
1. Bars and Clubs
Indianapolis has numerous bars and clubs where you can find a trans crowd. A lot of them are located at the Mass Ave in Downtown.
But there are also other areas with LGBTQ+ venues, and here are some of my favorites.
Gregs Indy – An old-school gay bar in Indianapolis, offering a casual and cash-only hangout experience.
Enjoy darts, pool tables, and thrilling drag shows on Fridays during which you can also find trans folks. They occasionally host leather/gear nights and feature events like drag bingo as well.
Downtown Olly’s – This place is open 24/7 and you’ll find an LGBT+ crowd along with TGs most of the time. The age range is mixed but I’d say mostly ranges from 25-30. Oh, and they stop serving alcohol after 3 a.m.
English Ivy’s – From the customer service to the food as well as the crowd, everything about this place is amazing. You’ll meet a lot of trans people here along with drag kings and queens on most nights.
Tini Bar – You’ll find a mix of both LGBTQ+ and cisgender people here. It’s a great place for trans folks who are looking for a male or female partner and vice versa.
Black Circle – A small place that hosts fantastic drag performances and you can often find trans folks in attendance. They usually play metal/grunge during weekends, and the crowd is loud. So if that’s not your cup of tea then try another place.
Metro Nightclub – A gay bar that’s now slowly attracting a mixed crowd including cisgender people and TGs. Upstairs, you can dance the night away with talented performers.
Almost Famous – Aside from coffee, another thing this bar is famous for are its amazing drag shows that you can enjoy with a trans/queer crowd. As you can see, there’s really never a dull moment at this place.
2. Social Media Groups
Indianapolis has numerous Facebook groups and pages to directly connect with the trans community.
So if you’re introverted and generally avoid social venues then your life is about to become a whole lot easier.
We’ll start with Indy Trans Social, the name itself is pretty self-explanatory. It’s an online social hub for trans in Indianapolis that plans informal get-togethers and promotes a sense of community.
Then there’s Indiana Transgender Locals Only, which is not just limited to Indianapolis but has trans people from all over the state.
Another one is Indiana Transgender and Friends which acts as a support group but you can also meet other trans people here.
Moving on, we have a Facebook page called GenderNexus. It’s an organization that aims to bring trans and non-binary folks across Indiana together. You can see that their page is pretty active about upcoming events.
Lastly, you can also join Queering Indy, it’s an LGBT+ focused group that hosts a lot of events and also offers support. You can definitely find TGs here as well.
3. Trans Friendly Dating Sites
At this point, you probably already know that the trans community in Indy is fairly active.
And it’s not just in public spaces but also online dating sites. There has been a growing number of trans men and women hopping onto apps like OkCupid nowadays.
A lot of them are also comfortable with writing that they’re trans in their bios so you won’t have to play the guessing game.
Just one suggestion: If you’re cisgender then make sure that you don’t look like a chaser because that really ticks us off.
Another thing to remember is that most users on OkCupid are looking for serious relationships. So if you want something casual then go to TSDates instead – which is more of a hookup site for trans.
4. Support Groups & Organizations
Indianapolis has many support groups and organizations for the LGBT+ community.
One of them is none other than Indy Pride. It’s the organization that also hosts the yearly Indianapolis Pride Parade every year on the 2nd Saturday of June.
Aside from that they also host other LGBT+ events throughout the year and have trans-focused support groups.
If you have the time then I recommend volunteering for them as that’s one of the easiest ways to connect with transgender individuals.
Another popular organization is Stonewall Sports. They host sports-based events for the LGBT+ community and allies which are great for socializing.
5. Other LGBT+ Spaces
As I said, there are LGBT+ inclusive spaces scattered all across Indy. If bars and clubs aren’t your thing, then you can visit other places to meet trans such as Donuts & Dragons.
They’re transparent about their support of the LGBT+ community as you can see a pride flag behind the bar. And during my last visit, I also met some trans people working here.
Another place is Top Out Cafe, they host a lot of drag events and generally welcome the LGBTQ+ community any time of the week.
In case you’re looking for something more adventurous, you can also visit North Mass Boulder. It’s a climbing gym that frequently hosts trans/queer-friendly events.
Those into geeky stuff can join the Good Games Indy community. It’s a queer & women-led gaming community that hosts multiple events every month in which you’re almost guaranteed to find TGs.
What It’s Like to Be Transgender in Indianapolis
Based on my experience, I find that Indianapolis is generally accepting and inclusive.
Locally, I have encountered almost no negative responses or experiences. Many businesses in the area take pride in treating everyone equally, even in the face of recent legislation planning to pass some anti-trans bills.
Despite Indiana sometimes receiving negative media coverage (some of which is deserved), my experience in Indianapolis suggests that the city is largely tolerant.
In the major cultural districts of Indianapolis, such as downtown, Fountain Square, and Broad Ripple, almost all businesses proudly display “all are welcome” signs and/or rainbow decals on their front doors.
In short, Indianapolis appears to foster an atmosphere of acceptance and support not just for trans but the LGBTQ+ community in general.
And this is evident in the attitudes of its residents and the inclusive practices of local businesses.
Common Questions for Transgender in Indianapolis
Is Indianapolis a safe city for trans people?
Definitely! Indianapolis is a great place for trans people and the majority of the locals are open-minded. Even in the suburbs, you’re unlikely to face any discrimination.
Where to meet trans women in Indianapolis?
There are multiple events to meet trans women so it all depends on your preference.
If you want to meet them in a fun social setting then join an event by Stonewall Sports or visit a bar. In case you’re more introverted, hop on to one of the many Facebook groups or a dating site like OkCupid.
Does Indianapolis have a trans friendly church?
You can find many trans friendly churches in Indianapolis, but St. Luke’s UMC is best because they have a clear stance and openly support the LGBT+ community.
