SECOND ANNUAL LOVING DAY CELEBRATION RETURNS TO INDIANAPOLIS JUNE 7
Event Honors Landmark Civil Rights Decision and Celebrates Love Across Cultures
FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:
Kristie Johnson, PhD, CFRE
VP, Development and External Affairs
The International Center
317-955-5151
kjohnson@internationalcenter.org
(INDIANAPOLIS – June 2, 2025) – Loving Day, a national celebration marking the historic 1967 Supreme Court decision in Loving v. Virginia, returns to Indianapolis for its second annual event. The International Center, in partnership with former Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard, will host the celebration on Saturday, June 7, from 1:00 to 3:00 PM, with registration beginning at 12:30 PM at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
The Loving Day ruling struck down all remaining state laws banning interracial marriage, establishing a foundational precedent for marriage equality and civil rights across the country.
“This is an extraordinary event full of camaraderie, joy, and overwhelming love,” said Greg Ballard, former Mayor of Indianapolis. “It brings people together to honor not only a pivotal moment in our nation’s history, but the enduring power of love across all boundaries.”
In 1958, Mildred Jeter, an African American woman, and Richard Loving, a Caucasian man, married in Washington D.C. to evade Virginia’s anti-miscegenation laws. Just weeks later, the couple was arrested in their home and sentenced to a year in prison—suspended on the condition that they leave the state for 25 years. Determined to return home, they challenged the law. Their case ultimately reached the U.S. Supreme Court, which unanimously ruled on June 12, 1967, that state bans on interracial marriage were unconstitutional, violating the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.
The upcoming Loving Day Celebration will feature a rich array of programming, including:
- Video vignettes spotlighting three local Indianapolis couples whose lives reflect the spirit of the Loving decision.
- Festivities including international cuisine, live music, and Motown dance floor vibes.
- Family-friendly activities to engage children and attendees of all ages.
- A vow renewal ceremony, officiated by former Mayor Ballard, open to all couples in attendance.
“This event is about more than the past,” said Dr. Kristie Johnson, Vice President of Development & External Affairs at The International Center. “It’s about celebrating love in all its forms and affirming the right to create a future rooted in unity, acceptance, and understanding.”
Sponsors for this year’s event include Pacers Sports & Entertainment, the Indianapolis Colts, and the Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF). Vendors include Chapital Photography, Frida’s Flowers, Latinas Welding Guild, and Vida Events & Décor, LLC.
Last year, The International Center hosted Indiana’s inaugural Loving Day Celebration in June 2024, welcoming more than 100 attendees. Among the participating couples were Ben and CaSondra Shim, who shared:
“One of the things that makes this country great is being united as Americans. Our marriage is a blessing from God—regardless of culture, we’re united and building a new one together.”
Loving Day is open to the public and welcomes families of all backgrounds. Tickets are $10 for adults; children and youth under 18 are free.
For more information or media inquiries, please contact: Dr. Kristie Johnson at kjohnson@internationalcenter.org
###
About The International Center
For over 50 years, The International Center has served as Indiana’s gateway to the world, fostering cultural understanding and supporting international engagement. Through programs, partnerships, and educational outreach, The Center empowers communities and individuals to thrive in a global society. The International Center is a proud member of Global Ties U.S.
