>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: >>> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," DORA HOSPITALITY HAS ONE MONTH TO PUT PLANS ON THE TABLE FOR THE HOST HOTEL FOR THE CONVENTION CENTER EXPANSION.

>> IN MANY OF OUR COMMUNITIES IN THE STATE OF INDIANA, THE OPENING VOLLEY IS WE HAVE LAND, INFRASTRUCTURE, AND TAX ABATEMENT.

WILL YOU PLEASE COME HERE.

>> AHEAD, WE'LL TALK WITH THE PRESIDENT OF THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BOARD ABOUT THE PROJECT.

>> MENDOZA MANIA HAS HIT INDIANA AFTER THE HOOSIER QUARTERBACK WAS NAMED THE HEISMAN TROPHY WINNER LAST WEEKEND.

>> HEY, IT'S CONGRATS, YOU KNOW ALL THIS STUFF.

WE DID IT.

WE GOT THE TROPHY.

NOW IT'S ON TO THE REAL TROPHY.

>> THE HOOSIERS FOCUS NOW TURNS TO THE ROSE BOWL ON NEW YEAR'S DAY.

>> AND A STATUE OF RYAN WYATT, WHO BECAME THE -- RYAN WHITE, WHO BECAME THE POSTER CHILD FOR HIV AIDS WILL GO UP IN FRONT OF THE MEMORIAL UNION.

WE WILL HAVE THESE STORIES AND MORE, RIGHT NOW ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

♪ >> WELCOME TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

I'M JOE HREN.

THE CITY SAID NO DEAL WITH DORA ON THE CONVENTION CENTER HOST HOTEL THIS WEEK.

DORA HOSPITALITY SAYS IT CAN'T BUILD THE HOTEL THE CONVENTION CENTER NEEDS WITHOUT INCENTIVES.

BUT INCENTIVES ARE SOMETHING THE CITY DOESN'T WANT TO ENTERTAIN.

>> IN MANY OF OUR COMMUNITIES, IN THE STATE OF INDIANA, THE OPENING VOLLEY IS WE HAVE LAND, INFRASTRUCTURE, AND TAX ABATEMENT.

WILL YOU PLEASE COME HERE?

>> NOW, SOME SAY THAT INCENTIVE MONEY COULD BE BETTER USED FOR MORE IMPORTANT NEEDS.

THE CITY'S REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION EXPRESSED FORMAL SUPPORT FOR THE PROJECT BUT LEFT OUT ANY LAND INCENTIVES.

WELL, WE ARE JOINED NOW BY JOHN WIKAR, THE PRESIDENT OF THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BOARD.

JOHN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

>> THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

>> APPRECIATE IT.

LET'S WALK THIS THROUGH IT.

THEY APPROVED A RESOLUTION TO HELP FIND A MIDDLE GROUND TO MOVE THIS FORWARD, BUT THEY LEFT OUT ANY TYPE OF INCENTIVE, BUT IT'S NOT OUT OF THE QUESTION, COULD THE HOTELIER GO BACK TO THE RDC AND PRESENT SOMETHING IN ORDER TO GET SOME TYPE OF INCENTIVE FOR THAT LAND?

>> THEY COULD.

THE -- THE REAL ISSUE ISN'T -- THE RDC, THEIR POSITION IS THEY STILL WANT THE $7 MILLION FOR THE LAND TO RECOVER THE ORIGINAL PURCHASE PRICE FOR IT.

THE HOTEL DEVELOPER'S STRUGGLE IS, AS I'M DEVELOPING THE HOTEL, I HAVE A $7 MILLION UP FRONT COST AND I'M TRYING TO SEE WHERE ELSE I CAN MAKE REDUCTIONS THAT WE PERMITTED THEM TO MAKE AND THEN HOW DO I FILL THAT GAP, THAT INCENTIVE GAP?

SO THE HOTEL IS COMING BACK TO THE RDC OR WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH THE RDC ABOUT WHAT OTHER INCENTIVES IN POSSIBLE THERE ARE, WHILE THE HOTELIER WILL ALSO HAVE TO FIND ADDITIONAL PRIVATE INVESTMENT TO HELP WITH THAT FINDING.

>> AND INCENTIVES AREN'T A SURPRISE.

OTHER CITIES DO THIS, BUT IT SEEMS LIKE WHAT WAS SAID AT THE MEETING THAT THIS SEEMED TO COME TO A SHOCK TO BLOOMINGTON OFFICIALS.

>> YEAH, AND SURPRISINGLY SO, I GUESS.

AS I SAID IN THE MEETING, OTHER COMMUNITIES AND WHAT WE COMPETE AGAINST IS OTHER COMMUNITIES WOULD SAY, WE NEED A HOST HOTEL TO COME TO OUR COMMUNITY AND HERE'S WHAT WE ARE OFFERING YOU, WHETHER THAT BE HERE'S LAND, HERE'S INFRASTRUCTURE, HERE'S TAX ABATEMENTS.

IN BLOOMINGTON, WE'RE SAYING, YOU WANT TO COME HERE, GIVE US $7 MILLION.

AND SO THAT'S A DIFFERENT APPROACH TO ALL OF THIS.

IT'S CERTAINLY, YOU KNOW, A FAIR APPROACH IF THAT'S THE WAY BLOOMINGTON WANTS TO APPROACH IT.

BACK TO THE RDC RESOLUTION, THE PROBLEM WITH THEIR RESOLUTION WAS THE ORIGINAL GOAL OF THE RESOLUTION WAS TO CREATE A CEILING THAT SAID, HERE'S EXACTLY WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU.

AND TO SIGNAL THE CIB AND THE HOTEL DEVELOPER, WE CAN OFFER YOU NO MORE.

THEY FAILED TO DO THAT.

WHAT THEY DID WAS THEY SAID HERE'S WHAT WE OFFERED YOU TO DATE AND WE'RE WILLING TO TALK ABOUT OTHER THINGS.

THEY REALLY DIDN'T MOVE THE BALL DOWN THE FIELD, IF YOU WILL, SINCE WE'RE STILL IN FOOTBALL SEASON.

THEY DIDN'T MOVE THE BALL DOWN THE FIELD.

>> I DID TALK WITH MAYOR KERRY THOMSON AS WELL ABOUT THIS ON TUESDAY.

SHE SAID THE LAND IS NOT A GIFT AND INCENTIVE AND SERIOUS CONVERSATIONS NEED TO TAKE PLACE.

LET'S TAKE A LISTEN.

>> WE SHOULD ENSURE THAT WE HAVE THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF PRIVATE INVESTMENT, AND WE SHOULD ALSO BE TALKING TO THE COUNTY ABOUT WHAT PART THEY MIGHT BE ABLE TO PLAY IN INCENTIVIZING A HOTEL.

>> SO ARE THERE ANY PRIVATE OR COUNTY INCENTIVES?

>> YOU KNOW, I WOULD SUGGEST THAT THE COUNTIES' INCENTIVES HAVE ALREADY BEEN PROVIDED FROM THE STANDPOINT THAT THE COUNTY DONATED THE LAND, WHERE WE'RE EXPANDING THE CONVENTION CENTER.

SO THEY DONATED THOSE PARCELS OF LAND THAT ARE BORDERED BY COLLEGE, WALNUT AND 3rd STREET AND THAT'S WHERE STEEL IS GOING UP AND WHERE WE'RE BUILDING RIGHT NOW.

I THINK THE REQUEST HAS ACTUALLY BEEN, IS THE COUNTY WILLING TO GIVE UP OTHER TAX REVENUES, INNKEEPERS TAX HAS BEEN MENTIONED.

IT'S BEEN MENTIONED BY THE COUNCIL, AND THAT QUESTION HAS BEEN ASKED AND ANSWERED.

>> AND THEN REALLY QUICK, WHAT'S NEXT?

WHAT HAPPENS NOW BEFORE THE NEXT MEETING IN JANUARY?

>> YEAH.

WE'VE TOLD THE HOTEL DEVELOPER, SINCE WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THEY DON'T SEE A PATH FORWARD, NOR DOES THE CITY AT THIS POINT WITH THE BUNDER ROBERTSON PROPERTY, SO WE SAID TO THE DEVELOPER, WE STILL HAVE PROPERTY TO THE SOUTH AND TO THE WEST THAT WERE IN THE ORIGINAL REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS THAT WE WOULD BE GRANTED TO YOU, THAT DON'T HAVE A $7 MILLION PRICE TAG ON THEM.

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN THOSE PROPERTIES?

CAN YOU MAKE THIS HAPPEN ON THOSE PROPERTIES?

AND WE HAVE GIVEN THE DEVELOPER UNTIL OUR JANUARY 21st MEETING TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION.

IN THE MEANTIME THAT, SAME FIVE-WEEK PERIOD CAN BE USED BY THE DEVELOPER TO TALK TO THE RDC ABOUT WHETHER THAT DEAL CAN STILL BE MADE ON THE BUNGER ROBERTSON PROPERTY.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING IN TODAY.

>> THANK YOU.

>> WELL, MENDOZA MANIA HAS HIT INDIANA AFTER HE WAS NAMED THE HEISMAN TROPHY WINNER LAST WEEKEND.

AS AUBREY WRIGHT REPORTS, HIS SUCCESS HAS LED TO SOME FUN ON CAMPUS.

>> INDIANA UNIVERSITY'S FERNANDO MENDOZA IS BACK ON CAMPUS WITH HIS HEISMAN TROPHY IN TOW.

THE QUARTERBACK WON THE AWARD AS COLLEGE FOOTBALL'S MOST OUTSTANDING PLAYER LAST SATURDAY.

BUT NOW THE HOOPLA HAS DIED DOWN, MEN DOZEA.

AND THE HOOSIERS -- MENDOZA AND THE HOOSIERS ARE TURNING THEIR ATTENTION TO THE ROSE BOWL ON NEW YEAR'S DAY.

>> HEY, IT'S CONGRATS, ALL OF THIS STUFF.

WE DID IT.

WE GOT THE TROPHY.

NOW IT'S ON TO THE REAL TROPHY, WHERE OR THE SEASON'S TROPHY, WHICH IS THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP.

>> MENDOZA LED THE HOOSIERS TO A 13-0 RECORD, THE BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIP, AND NUMBER ONE NATIONAL RANKING AND THE TOP SEED IN THE COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS.

HIS SUCCESS HAS SPAWNED INTEREST IN THE CAL TRANSFER.

LAST WEEK, THREE MEN SHOWED UP FOR A FERNANDO MENDOZA FOR A MENDOZA LOOK-A-LIKE.

>> MORE AND MORE PEOPLE TOLD ME I LOOK LIKE HIM.

I DON'T BELIEVE THAT I DO.

MAYBE A LITTLE BIT AND THEN MY FAMILY JOINED IN ON IT AND SAID I HAVE TO GO.

I WOULD BE LETTING DOWN THE FAMILY IF I DIDN'T GO.

I THOUGHT IT WAS BEST TO SHOW UP AND TRY TO WIN.

>> THE COMPETITION INCLUDED SEEING WHO COULD THROW THE FOOTBALL THE FARTHEST, A SPRINTING RACE AND A MOCK PREGAME INTERVIEW.

HE PREPARED FOR THE INTERVIEW BY WATCHING SOME OF MENDOZA'S PREVIOUS INTERVIEWS.

>> THE VOICE CRACKS, I KNOW HE DOES THAT.

TRYING TO THANK GOD BEFORE EVERY INTERVIEW AND THANK HIS FRIENDS AND BE VERY JOLLY, I THINK IS THE VIBE I WAS GOING FOR.

>> THIS TIME NEXT MONTH, HE COULD BE THE LOOK ALIKE OF A NATIONAL CHAMPION.

FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M AUBREY WRIGHT.

>>> TOP SEEDED INDIANA WILL PLAY THE WINNER OF TONIGHT'S OKLAHOMA/ALABAMA COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF GAME.

THAT'S IN THE ROSE BOWL JANUARY 1st.

>>> WELL, WE'RE JOINED NOW BY ALIVIA WILSON FOR THE LATEST HEADLINES FROM AROUND THE STATE.

HI, ALIVIA.

>> HI, JOE.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

BLOOMINGTON MAYOR KERRY THOMSON PLANS TO REMOVE A HOMELESS ENCAMPMENT IN BROWN WOODS.

THEY CLEARED THE AREA A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO BUT QUESTIONS REMAIN ABOUT A LONG-TERM SOLUTION.

>> OFFICIALS SAY THE AREA WAS UNSAFE AND INACCESSIBLE FOR EMERGENCY SERVICES.

>> WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THEM IN COLLABORATION, LOCKSTEP WITH THE HOMELESS SERVICE PROVIDERS, AND -- AND HELPING GETTING PEOPLE RELOCATED, ET CETERA.

>> THE AREAS ON THE CITY'S WEST SIDE, SOUTH OF AMC CLASSIC AND EAST OF THE I-69, THEY GAVE 30 DAYS' NOTICE AND BY THE TIME THE WORKERS CAME TO CLEAR THE AREA, NOBODY WAS LEFT.

>> WE HAVE TO DO JUST A 27-HOUR NOTICE.

WE -- 72-HOUR NOTICE.

WE COMMIT TO A 30-DAY AND COORDINATE WITH SERVICE PROVIDERS AND MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE ARE CARED FOR IN THE PROCESS AND ARE OFFERED AS MUCH DIGNITY AS POSSIBLE.

>> SHELTER PEOPLE SAY LOVING PEOPLE FROM ENCAMPMENTS DOESN'T ADDRESS LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS THOMSON SAYS THEY ARE LOOKING TO HAVE A SPECTRUM OF HOUSING NEEDS.

>> WE HAVE TO WORK SHORT TERM ON PEOPLE WHO ARE IN CRISIS NOW AND LONG TERM TO REALLY STIMULATE THE PRODUCTION OF THE KINDS OF HOUSES THAT WE DO NEED IN ORDER TO CREATE SOME MOVEMENT IN THE MARKET.

>> THE COUNTY WAS ALSO PLANNING TO REMOVE AN UNHOUSED ENCAMPMENT ON THE THOMSON PROPERTY ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF BLOOMINGTON BUT DECIDED NOT TO AFTER PUBLIC OUTCRY.

>> THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL RECOMMENDED TO REMOVE A DECADES RECOMMENDATION TO GIVE THE HEPATITIS B TO NEWBORNS.

IT'S USUALLY GIVEN WITHIN 24 HOURS OF BIRTH AND PROTECTS AGAINST HEPATITIS B WHICH ATTACKS THE LIVER AND CAN BE DEADLY ABOUT.

90% WHO GET INFECTED AT BIRTH DEVELOP A CHRONIC HEPATITIS B INFECTION.

>> THEY ARE MOST AT RISK OF DEVELOPING A CHRONIC HEPATITIS B INFECTION IF EXPOSED, AND SO GIVING THAT BIRTH DOSE IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

YOU'VE GOT THE BABY IN THE HOSPITAL, THE MOM DOESN'T HAVE TO BRING THE BABY BACK FOR, YOU KNOW, A VISIT FOR THAT.

SO YOU ARE MAKING SURE THAT CHILD IS PROTECTED.

>> DEARTH STILL RECOMMENDS ALL NEWBORNS GET THE VACCINE.

>>> SUPPLEMENTAL PAY FOR MONROE COUNTY SCHOOL COMMUNITY CORPORATION TEACHERS IN TITLE 1 SCHOOLS WILL DECREASE FROM $2,000 TO $1,000 FOR THE 2025-2026 SCHOOL YEAR.

ISABELLA VESPERINI HAS MORE ON HOW THIS DECISION WAS MADE AND ITS IMPLICATIONS.

>> TITLE ONE IS A FEDERAL PROGRAM PROVIDING FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO SCHOOLS WITH A HIGH NUMBER OF LOW-INCOME STUDENTS.

MCCSC HAS PAID FOR THESE SUPPLEMENTS FROM THE EDUCATION FUND, WHICH IS FUNDED BY PER PUPIL STUDENT SUPPORT PAYMENTS FROM THE STATE.

THERE ARE SEVEN TITLE 1 SCHOOLS IN THE CORPORATION, INCLUDING TEMPLETON, FAIRVIEW AND SUMMIT.

AT THE SCHOOL BOARD MEETING THIS WEEK, BOARD MEMBERS VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO REDUCE SUPPLEMENTAL PAY FOR TEACHERS IN THESE SCHOOLS AMID STATE BUDGET CUTS.

>> I DON'T THINK THAT THERE WAS AN EASY DECISION FOR ANY OF US, AND THAT I PERSONALLY, I REGRET THAT WE ARE IN THE POSITION WHERE WE HAVE TO CONSIDER THIS.

>> EVEN THOUGH ALL BOARD MEMBERS VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE REDUCTION, THEY HAD QUALMS DOING SO.

>> I'M NOT COMFORTABLE WITH IT.

I KNOW WE HAVE TO DO IT, BUT I DON'T LIKE IT.

>> BOARD PRESIDENT APRIL HENNESSY AGREED.

>> WE IMPLEMENTED THIS BECAUSE WE UNDERSTOOD THOSE, YOU KNOW, PARTICULAR CHALLENGES ESPECIALLY IN RETENTION, BUT, YOU KNOW, I DO THINK THAT WE KNOW THAT AT THIS POINT, WE ARE IN THIS SPOT WHERE WE HAVE TO MAKE THESE KINDS OF FISCAL DECISIONS IN ORDER TO, YOU KNOW, BE ABLE TO MAKE OTHER SORTS OF OFFERINGS.

>> ABOUT 225 TEACHERS ARE AFFECTED.

STARTING NEXT YEAR, NO SUPPLEMENTAL PAY WILL BE OFFERED FOR TEACHERS IN TITLE 1 SCHOOLS.

>> WHAT ARE THE ALTERNATIVE SOURCES?

IT SEEMS TO US THAT THE LEGISLATURE, WITH THIS, JUST HAS ONE MORE NOTCH ON THEIR BELT OF PUBLIC EDUCATION DISMANTLEMENT.

>> TEACHERS ALREADY WON'T BE RECEIVING A BASE SALARY RAISE FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS.

>> WHAT THEN CAN BE DONE TO HELP RETAIN THE TEACHERS WHO WORK HARD EVERY DAY, DIRECTLY WITH THE POPULATION OF OUR MOST SCHOOL-DEPENDENT KIDS.

>> FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M ISABELLA VESPERINI.

>>> THE NEXT BOARD MEETING IS SCHEDULED FOR JANUARY 27th AT 6 P.M.

>>> THE GREENE COUNTY HOSPITAL IS ENDING ITS LABOR AND DELIVERY SERVICES AT THE END OF NEXT MONTH.

THE HOSPITAL'S C.E.O.

SAYS THE DECISION WAS DRIVEN BY STAFFING SHORTAGES AND ONGOING FINANCIAL LOSSES TIED TO MEDICAID CUTS AND LOW INSURANCE REIMBURSEMENTS.

>> UNTIL WE SEE THOSE CHANGES OF REALLY INCREASING MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT, SUPPORTING OUR RURAL HOSPITALS THE WAY THEY SHOULD BE SUPPORTED AND HOLDING ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THOSE PAYERS, WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO SEE OUR COMMUNITIES LOSE ACCESS TO CARE.

>> EXPECTANT MOTH HE MOTHERS WILL HAVE TO TRAVEL 30 TO 45 MINUTES TO SURROUNDING HOSPITALS TO GIVE BIRTH.

THE EMERGENCY ROOM STAFF WILL BE TRAINED TO HANDLE EMERGENCY BABY DELIVERIES.

MOST OB NURSES WILL MOVE TO OTHER HOSPITAL ROLES AND THE HOSPITAL SAYS IT'S NOT AT RISK OF CLOSING.

>>> MUSICAL FAMILY TREE HAS BEEN AROUND SINCE 2004, BUT IT'S STILL BRANCHING OUT.

THE NONPROFIT FOCUSES ENTIRELY ON GATHERING LOCAL MUSIC, AND AUBREY WRIGHT HAS MORE ON ITS WORK TODAY.

>> MUSICAL FAMILY TREE HAS BEEN DIGITIZING A CROWD-SOURCED ARCHIVE OF LOCAL MUSICIANS FOR MORE THAN TWO DECADES.

IT HAS MORE THAN 100,000 RECORDINGS TODAY.

IT STARTS WITH BLOOMINGTON'S ROCK SCENE BUT THE MISSION IS SPREADING TO ALL INDIANA MUSIC.

>> THE DIVERSITY IN THE MUSIC AND THE PEOPLE AND THE CULTURE AND ALL OF THESE THINGS THAT MAKE INDIANA MUSIC SO SPECIAL IS REALLY WHAT MUSICAL FAMILY TREE IS ABOUT.

>> TAYLOR SAYS THE NONPROFIT HAS GROWN BEYOND ITS ROOTS BUT ORIGINAL MUSIC MADE BY HOOSIERS REMAINS THE FOCUS.

FOR EXAMPLE, MUSICAL FAMILY TREE SUPPORTS LIVE PERFORMANCES AND PROVIDES FUNDING FOR RECORDING STUDIO ACCESS.

>> THERE'S SO MUCH GOOD MUSIC COMING OUT OF INDIANA, IT'S REALLY ASHAME THAT MORE PEOPLE DON'T KNOW ABOUT IT.

>> FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M AUBREY WRIGHT.

>>> AND JOE, THE MONROE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY WAS RECENTLY ADDED AS A NEW PARTNER.

IT WILL HELP EXPAND THE MUSICAL FAMILY TREE ARCHIVE.

>> ALIVIA, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

YOUR LAST SHOW WITH US.

>> I KNOW IT'S CRAZY.

IT'S GONE BY SO FAST.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

WE REALLY APPRECIATE YOU.

COMING UP NEXT ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," A STATUE OF HOOSIER NATIVE AND HIV AIDS POSTER CHILD RYAN WHITE WILL BE ERECTED OUTSIDE OF THE INDIANA MEMORIAL UNION.

WE WILL HAVE THIS STORY AND MORE RIGHT HERE ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

THERE ARE ALMOST 26,000 TRANSGENDER ADULTS IN INDIANA ACCORDING TO THE UCLA WILLIAMS INSTITUTE, JUST UNDER HALF OF 1% OF THE STATE, WHILE LEGISLATION IN RECENT YEARS HAS TARGETED TRANSYOUTH, OLDER TRANSGENDER ADULTS GROW WITH VISIBILITY AND HOSTILITY.

ETHAN SANDWEISS SPOKE WITH TRANSGENDER HOOSIERS AND HAD THIS STORY.

>> I THOUGHT, WELL, GOD, THIS IS JUST A SIN AND I NEED TO TRY HARDER, AND IT'S JUST ME.

AND IT WASN'T UNTIL LATER THAT I REALIZED THAT, PHEW, THIS HAS BEEN THROUGH HISTORY.

>> JONES GREW UP IN RURAL BROWN COUNTY, LONG BEFORE SEX AND GENDER WERE DISCUSSED IN PUBLIC.

SHE CAME IN AGE OF A RELIGIOUS COMMUNITY AND HAD NOBODY WITH WHOM SHE COULD SHARE HER EXPERIENCE.

>> MY EARLIEST MEMORIES, THIS WAS A BATTLE.

I MEAN, THREE YEARS OLD, THIS WAS A BATTLE.

JUST NO ONE KNEW.

>> REBECCA HAVILAND WAS RAISED BY A CONSERVATIVE FAMILY IN SALEM.

>> IT WAS VERY CONFUSING.

AND NOBODY SLAINED TO ME WHY I WAS ATTACKED.

>> FOR TRANSGENDER YOUTH, THERE WAS NOTHING AVAILABLE FOR THEM TO UNDERSTOOD THEIR IDENTITY.

THEY SCOURED DICTIONARIES AND MAGAZINES.

>> AFTER A FOOTBALL GAME, I WOULD GO HOME AND CRY BECAUSE I WAS WEARING PADS RATHER THAN BEING PART OF THE CHEER SQUAD.

>> PEJRIL IS THE FIRST OPENLY ELECTED TRANSGENDER OFFICIAL IN HISTORY.

LIKE JONES SHE WAS MARRIED BEFORE HER TRANSITION AND PRESENTING MALE.

>> EVEN IF ONLY PRIVATELY TO THEMSELVES THEY INTUITIVELY UNDERSTAND THIS IS JUST WHAT THE KID IS.

>> EVEN IF THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND BEATING THE CHILD WITHOUT EVER EXPLAINING WHY.

>> RESEARCHERS COINED THE TERM TRANSGENDER IN 1965, BUT UNTIL THE 1990s, THEY WERE REFERRED TO AS TRANSSEXUAL.

THEY SOUGHT COMMUNITY WITHIN GAY AND LESBIAN SPACES IN INDIANAPOLIS, BLOOMINGTON AND SOUTH BEND.

>> WE HAD A BAR CALLED BULLWINKELS BEFORE IT MOVED TO WEST 5th, WEST 3rd, IT WAS DOWNTOWN IN A LITTLE BUILDING AND I WOULD GO THERE.

>> HE THESE ENCOUNTERS WITH QUEER CULTURE WERE OFTEN DISCRETE.

THEY WERE WORRIED ABOUT THE REACTION FROM THE COMMUNITIES ESPECIALLY IN RURAL PARTS OF INDIANA.

>> MY EX-WIFE HAD TOLD A GIRLFRIEND OF OURS, AND NO ONE KNEW.

AND SHE WAS DRUNK AT A PARTY, AND IT WAS JUST TOO JUICY FOR HER TO CONTAIN AND SHE TOLD EVERYONE.

>> FOR TRANSGENDER PEOPLE IN INDIANA PRISONS, THE SITUATION COULD BE MORE DIRE.

HAVILAND SPENT NEARLY 30 YEARS INCARCERATED UNTIL THE 2012 PRISON RAPE ACT, ALL TRANSGENDER INMATES WERE HOUSED WITH THE MALE.

>> SOMETIMES WOULD YOU HAVE STAFF OR GANG MEMBERS OKAY, LET'S MOVE THIS TRANNY OVER FROM THIS WORKING HOUSING UNIT AND PUT THEM IN A DORM, CONTROLLED BY THEIR GANG JUST FOR SPORT.

>> DESPITE THE RISKSM.

TRANSES HOOSIERS CHOOSE TO LIVE OPENLY AS THEIR GENDER, NAVIGATING THE LEFT LEANING AND CONSERVATIVE FRIENDS.

>> I HAVE DONE MY BEST, ESPECIALLY SINCE GETTING ELECTED IN 2019 TO BE OUT AND REPRESENTING IN PLACES THAT AREN'T ALWAYS SO FAMILIAR.

>> AFTER SHE WAS OUTED, JONES OPENED RACHEL'S CAFE, ONE OF THE MOST VISIBLY QUEER SPACES IN BLOOMINGTON.

THEY CONTINUES TO LIVE AMONG FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS SHE HAS KNOWN HER WHOLE LIFE.

>> THINGS IS HAVE CHANGED SO MUCH, THINKING ABOUT HOW MY LIFE WOULD BE RUINED IF ANYONE WOULD KNOW IN BROWN COUNTY AND NOW I WALK DOWN IT THE STREET AND SOMEONE HONKS THAT'S DRIVING BY BECAUSE THEY ARE A FRIEND WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT.

>> I BELIEVE THAT IN THEIR MINDS, I'M KIND OF THEIR TOKEN.

YOU KNOW?

TRANS PEOPLE IN GENERAL ARE LIKE, YOU KNOW, MAKE THEM FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE BUT THEY'RE OKAY WITH ME.

>> JONES AND HAVILAND DESCRIBE ACCEPTANCE WHO STILL ESPOUSE TRANSPHOBIC IDEAS ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

DESPITE GREATER VISIBILITY NOT MUCH HAS CHANGED OF A TRANSWOMAN WITHOUT HOUSING.

>> I NEVER EXPERIENCED SO MUCH BIGOTRY UNTIL I WAS OUT POUNDING THE STREET EVERY SINGLE DAY.

TRYING TO GET A JOB.

>> THE POLITICAL LANDSCAPE IS CHANGING.

WHILE TRANSGENDER HOOSIERS ARE LIVE VISIBLY IN A WAY THAT MANY NEVER THOUGHT POSSIBLE RECENT LEGISLATION IN INDIANA AND OTHER STATES HAS THEM WORRIED FOR THE FUTURE.

>> I THOUGHT OF PLACES OUT OF THE COUNTRY THAT WOULD BE A PLACE TO GO, BUT I HAVE A COMMUNITY HERE, AND A LOT OF MY FRIENDS ARE POLITICALLY RIGHT WING.

>> BUT EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT LEAVING, MANY WOULD RATHER STAY AND FIGHT.

>> WELL, OF COURSE I HAVE AND THEN ON THE OTHER HAND, OF COURSE WHY SHOULD I?

I MEAN, I'VE BEEN A PRIDE WARRIOR MY WHOLE LIFE.

>> AND I GOT THE SCARS TO PROVE IT.

>> PEJRIL IS NOW RUNNING FOR INDIANA SENATE.

SHE WANTS YOUNG TRANSGENDER PEOPLE TO ENTER POLITICS NOT JUST TO ADVOCATE FOR THEIR OWN RIGHTS BUT ADVOCATE FOR CAUSES BEYOND THEIR GENDER.

>> I LOVE THIS COMMUNITY TOO MUCH TO LEAVE HERE.

I LOVE THIS STATE TOO MUCH TO LEAVE HERE.

>> FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M ETHAN SANDWEISS.

>> LEGENDARY HOOSIER FIGURE RYAN WHITE WILL CONTINUE TO BE REMEMBERED ON INDIANA UNIVERSITY'S CAMPUS.

A BRONZE SCULPTURE OF WHITE WILL BE INSTALLED NEXT SPRING IN THE INDIANA MEMORIAL UNION.

NATALIE FITZGIBBONS HAS THE DETAILS.

>> WHITE WAS UNABLE TO ATTAIN HIS DREAM OF ATTENDING I.U.

HE CONTRACTED AIDS FROM A CONTAMINATED BLOOD TREATMENT WHEN HE WAS 13 AND DIED IN 1990, ONE MONTH BEFORE HIS HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION.

WHITE FACED INTENSE DISCRIMINATION AND FOUGHT FOR FAIR TREATMENT FOR HIMSELF AND OTHERS WITH HIV AND AIDS.

WILLIAM LARBER, PROPOSED THE IDEA OF A RYAN WHITE SCULPTURE.

HE SAYS HE SAW THE WORK DONE BY A SCULPTOR MELANIE PENNINGTON AS SHE FINISHED THE ALFRED KINSEY.

>> I THOUGHT, GOSH, PEOPLE WILL SEE THE ALFRED KINSEY SCULPTURE.

WE OUGHT TO HAVE ONE FOR RYAN BECAUSE HE WANTED TO GO TO SCHOOL HERE.

I FOUND THE RIGHT TEAM TO DO THAT.

>> HE SPENT NUMEROUS HOURS A WEEK WORKING ON THE CLAY SCULPTURE.

SHE SPENT ABOUT 200 HOURS OF RESEARCH TO MAKE SURE THAT WHITE IS NOT ONLY PHYSICALLY CAPTURED.

>> HE WAS A TEENAGED BOY BUT SO PRESENT, WIDE OPEN, PRESENT AND YOU CAN SEE IT.

YOU CAN SEE IT IN -- IN THESE EYES THAT ARE STARING FROM THE WALL BEHIND ME.

>> PENNINGTON HAS TITLED THE SCULPTURE "KEEP GOING" WHICH EMBODIES THE ENERGY WHITE HAD.

THE STATUE WILL BE OF WHITE WEARING A JEAN JACKET WITH HIS HAIR SPIKY AND CARRYING AN I.U.

BACKPACK.

IT WILL BE INTERACTIVE, PEOPLE WILL BE ABLE TO LEAVE OR PICK UP NOTES OF ENCOURAGEMENT FROM THE SCULPTURE.

>> THE OTHER PART OF HIS MESSAGE AND THE PART THAT'S SO BEAUTIFUL ABOUT HIM, THAT HE WAS ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO EDUCATE THEMSELVES TO FIGHT FEAR.

>> PENNINGTON HOPES THIS WILL BE ANOTHER WAY TO ENSURE WHITE IS NOT FORGOTTEN AND TO KEEP HIS STORY ALIVE.

>> I THINK HAVING REPRESENTATIONS OF HOPE IN THE FACE OF THESE CRUELTIES IS VERY EMOTIONAL AND ESSENTIAL.

YOU KNOW?

IT GIVES US A REMINDER OF WHY IT MATTERS TO BE KIND.

>> FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M NATALIE FITZGIBBONS.

>>> THAT'S THE END OF THIS PROGRAM, BUT OUR WORK CONTINUES ONLINE AS WE COVER THE NEWS THROUGHOUT THE WEEK AT WTIUNEWS.ORG.

EYE SPECIAL PROGRAM -- A SPECIAL PROGRAMMING NOTE WE WILL NOT BE HERE WITH "INDIANA NEWSDESK" NEXT WEEK.

WE HOPE YOU HAVE A WONDERFUL HOLIDAY SEASON.

WE WILL SEE YOU IN THE NEW YEAR.

"INDIANA NEWSDESK" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: