2016: A Year in Review

Record-breaking attendance at Pride. 500,000 people showed up to celebrate the 35th annual Pride Festival and Parade in Columbus, Ohio.

2017 Stonewall Columbus Pride Festival and Parade Returns to Riverfront!
The time has come for the second largest LGBTQ Pride festival in the Midwest to return to Downtown Columbus, says Stonewall Executive Director Karla Rothan.
“The Stonewall Columbus Pride Festival and Parade is a testament to the diversity and inclusiveness of this great city,” says Ms. Rothan. “It is fitting that we return to the city’s center, a beautiful setting for a beautiful celebration.”
2017 will mark the 36th Pride celebration in Columbus. What began as 3 young men organizing a small march down High Street with scores in attendance has grown into a three-day celebration with over 500,000 attendees. The 2017 celebration will take place on June 16th and 17th.
After six years in the Short North’s Goodale Park, a move made necessary by the Riverfront redevelopment projects, the 2017 Stonewall Columbus Pride Festival will now take place in Bicentennial and Genoa parks.
“The Stonewall Columbus Pride Festival is one of the most important expressions of our inclusiveness as a community,” said Betsy Pandora, Executive Director of the Short North Alliance. “The Short North Arts District has benefited tremendously from the presence of the Pride Festival and the hundreds of thousands of visitors it attracts to the Short North Arts District throughout the Pride holiday weekend. We are thrilled to continue to play host to the parade route and look forward to the growth of the event into the future.”
Dr. Tom McCartney, President of the Stonewall Board of Directors added, “Stonewall Columbus’ Center on High is a proud member of the Short North neighborhood. We believe everyone will benefit from the expansion of the Pride footprint down High Street.”
The Pride Parade route will be reversed, beginning in the Short North and traveling south down High Street. Detailed route information, including staging areas, will be released in early 2017. Ms. Rothan said that Stonewall’s efforts to minimize any disruptions or inconveniences for neighborhood residents and businesses will continue.
Mayor Andrew J. Ginther expressed his support for the festival’s return to downtown by stating, “The Stonewall Columbus Pride Festival and Parade truly reflects who we are as a city. Columbus has distinguished itself as an open, diverse and inclusive community, and downtown is an outstanding place to celebrate these values.”
Additional information about the 2017 Stonewall Columbus Pride Festival and Parade can be found at stonewallcolumbus.org/Pride2017.

In the wake of the senseless tragedy in Orlando on June 12, 2016, our LGBTQ and Ally community came together to support the victims and families whose lives were irrevocably changed forever. Our Columbus community immediately answered the call to action with your generosity, prayers and show of unity.
Because of the contributions of so many individuals, businesses and organizations, we were able to provide a total of $30,461.43 to Equality Florida to be used for those who are in need of help on their long road of recovery from this horror.
Please keep reading to see our entire letter to Equality Florida…
Dear Nadine,
The unspeakable tragedy of June 12, 2016 reverberated across the world and shook the LGBTQ nation to its core. No words were enough, no emotion too strong, no sorrow too deep. In our community and other cities, states and nations, LGBTQ and Ally individuals and groups gathered to stand in solidarity with Orlando.
To the victims and families we say “You are not alone.” Your LGBTQ family grieves with you and remembers those lost and those forever changed by this event. Though no amount of money could ever compensate your loss, we hope this donation proves useful in some way as you struggle to move forward.
To Equality Florida, we say “Thank you for caring for the Orlando victims and families on behalf of the entire LGBTQ community.” We appreciate your efforts to reach out to those who are suffering and to provide comfort and help.
The enclosed donation was made possible through the generosity of many individuals, organizations and businesses.
Stonewall Columbus led a fundraising effort immediately upon hearing of this horrific news and our LGBTQ and Central Ohio community responded with overwhelming donations totaling $7,438.43
The Union Foundation and Axis Nightclub held fundraisers which resulted in a multitude of donations totaling $11,273.
Abercrombie & Fitch Home Office associates raised funds through donations and A&F Pride T-shirt sales. A&F donated the cost of the shirts so that every dollar raised would go directly to this effort. The total amount raised by Abercrombie & Fitch was an amazing $11,750.
Therefore, Stonewall Columbus, Union Foundation, Axis Nightclub and Abercrombie & Fitch Home Office associates are pleased to provide the enclosed check in the amount of $30,461.43.
Please know that all of you will continue in our thoughts and prayers as we remain In Solidarity with Orlando.
Most Sincerely,
Karla R. Rothan
Executive Director
Stonewall Columbus, Inc.

Facilitated 70 Speakers Bureau presentations to various organizations around Ohio, including the Ohio National Guard, the Ohio Bar Association, Dublin Senior Center, Mayor’s Court Clerks of Ohio, the Columbus Museum of Art and Ohio History Connection.  Learn more about how to request a presentation or get involved here.

Launched “LOVE WILL WIN: The LGBTQ Refugee Experience” presentation in collaboration with Community Refugee and Immigration Services (CRIS). “LOVE WILL WIN” is created and shared by two Ugandan refugees who escaped religious and governmental persecution of their sexual orientation. Our presenters will share their powerful stories about their journey to the United States in hopes of finding safety, compassion and acceptance. Learn more about how to request a presentation here.