Muncie OUTreach LGBTQ+ Center

The Muncie OUTreach LGBTQ+ Center was one of the signatories of a June 2023 statement calling for the Target Corporation to “reject and speak out against anti-LGBTQ+ extremism” after the firm removed or relocated some LGBT-themed merchandise, such as “tuck friendly” women’s swimsuits, which intended to allow male-to-female transgender individuals who had not undergone gender-reassignment surgery to conceal their genitals, ahead of Pride Month in May 2023 following criticism from customers. ^{5 6 7 7}

Background

The Muncie OUTreach LGBTQ+ Center is a left-of-center LGBT youth organization based in Muncie, Indiana. The organization provides resources, such as lists of doctors and clinics that support gender-reassignment-related medical and psychological care and LGBT-interests-supporting churches in the Muncie area. ^{1 2}

The organization also has a “safe sex & HIV safety” page on its website, which directs users to various left-of-center resources regarding LGBT issues, including Planned Parenthood, an organization that provides reproductive health services and abortions in the U.S. Muncie OUTreach also provides “safe-sex workshops,” free STI and HIV testing, and contraception. ³

The organization also has a page on its website that lists resources that “help make schools and classrooms safer and more affirming” for LGBT students. ⁴

Muncie OUTreach holds LGBT events such as the Lavender Graduation, a ceremony and reception for “high school, homeschool, GED, and college graduates”; a “queer prom”; and a Muncie Pride event. The organization also offers “help with a gender marker and name change.” ⁸

Target Corporation Letter

The Muncie OUTreach LGBTQ+ Center was one of the signatories of a June 2023 statement calling on the Target Corporation to “reject and speak out against anti-LGBTQ+ extremism” after the firm removed some LGBT-themed merchandise ahead of Pride Month in May 2023 due to criticism from customers. ^{5 6 7}

Target had been criticized for its “tuck friendly” women’s swimsuits, which intended to allow male-to-female transgender individuals who had not undergone gender-reassignment surgery to conceal their genitals. ⁷

The statement signed by Muncie OUTreach characterized criticism aimed at Target as “extremist attacks” and “harassment,” adding that Target was challenged as it stood in “solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community and values of diversity, equity, and inclusion.” The statement called for businesses to “lead and respond with unwavering support” for LGBT individuals, adding that businesses “must defend” the “values of diversity, equity, and inclusion.” ⁵

The statement demanded that Target release a statement “reaffirming their commitment to the LGBTQ+ community,” restore Pride merchandise that was removed by the company in shops and online, and ensure the safety of its team members. ⁵

Controversies

The Muncie OUTreach LGBTQ+ Center’s founder, Laura Janney, was accused of racism and transphobia while she was executive director of Muncie OUTreach, a position that as of 2026 was held by Brett Ellison. ^{9 10}

Janney was also accused of intimidating others, with one person claiming that after Janney intimidated them she rejected their sponsorship and donations to the organization and told others that said person was “mentally ill.” ⁹

Muncie OUTreach responded to the accusations in a statement that called for the local LGBT community to stop writing negatively about the organization. In its statement, Muncie OUTreach claimed that public messaging about the organization should remain focused on its work, as using social media to share frustrations “weakens the integrity of our organization in the eyes of the community,” which in turn puts its partnerships and funding at risk. ⁹

Financials

In 2024, the Muncie OUTreach LGBTQ+ Center had a total revenue of $147,353, almost entirely from contributions. Its total expenses amounted to $139,978 that year, and its net assets amounted to $350,232. ¹¹