Loving Day, a national celebration marking the historic 1967 Supreme Court decision in Loving v. Virginia, will return to Indianapolis for the third time. The International Center, in partnership with former Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard, will host the celebration on Saturday, June 6, from 12:00 to 2:30 pm at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
In 1958, Mildred Jeter, an African American woman, and Richard Loving, a white 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, Loving v. Virginia, 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.
Loving Day is observed annually to commemorate this landmark Supreme Court decision. This historic ruling not only affirmed the fundamental right to marry but also marked a defining victory for civil rights in America. Loving Day stands as a celebration of love, resilience, and equality, honoring the Lovings’ courageous stand for justice.
The International Center’s upcoming Loving Day Celebration will feature compelling stories from interracial couples, insights from a legal scholar on the significance of the ruling, work from local artists, a catered lunch, and an opportunity to participate in vow renewals. Members of the community are invited to join The Center for this meaningful day of reflection, community, and celebration.
Loving Day is open to the public and welcomes families of all backgrounds. Tickets are $15 for adults; children and youth under 18 are free. Sponsors for this year’s event include Pacers Sports & Entertainment and the Indianapolis Colts.