Indy Pride Is More Than a Parade—It’s How We Gather
- Madeline Curtis-Long
- Jun 15
- 2 min read
A Reflection on Indy Pride 2025 from the Heart of Gather 22
The streets of downtown Indianapolis were awash in color, music, and joy this past weekend—and Gather 22 was right in the middle of it all. As a team deeply rooted in community and built on the belief that everyone deserves a seat at the table, Pride is more than just a celebration to us. It’s a reflection of who we are.
Built By Community, Powered By Love
At Gather 22, we don’t just serve food and drinks—we serve connection.
Our team is made up of creatives, caretakers, and change-makers, many of whom identify as LGBTQIA+. Pride isn’t a seasonal campaign for us. It’s part of our everyday ethos. It lives in the way we greet you at the door, the joy we pour into a cocktail, the warmth that fills the room when you stay awhile.
And on Pride weekend, we took that same spirit out of our space and into the city.
Our Staff Is the Soul of Gather
It’s hard to put into words how proud we are of our team.
Their heart, their humor, their hustle—it’s what makes Gather feel like more than just a restaurant. It’s a refuge. A runway. A second home.
Seeing our staff beam with pride as they marched, danced, and waved to thousands of onlookers reminded us: this is what it means to show up for yourself and each other. This is what it means to be seen.
To our team—you are our everything. Thank you for showing the world what queer joy looks like in real time.
Thank You, Indy—We Felt the Love
Indy, you showed up in full color. You clapped for us, hugged us, danced with us, and made us feel like we were exactly where we belonged. That kind of support? It’s everything. And it fuels our mission to keep building a space where everyone is welcome, every day of the year.
So whether you marched with us, visited our backyard bar, or simply waved as we passed by—thank you. This is your space too.
Come As You Are. Stay As Long As You Like.
We believe Pride is more than a moment on the calendar.
It’s an ongoing promise—to create a space where all identities are honored, where authenticity is celebrated, and where love leads.
We’re committed to continuing this work—not just in June, but always. And we invite you to join us. Whether it’s for brunch, backyard cocktails, or a quiet coffee, we hope Gather always feels like a place where you can just be.
