Stonewall Columbus continued to grow in 2016! Check out this slideshow to see what we did in 2016.
Fun Fact: The infographic above won Franklin University’s Learning Showcase Respect Award this fall.
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.
In January, 82-year-old veteran, Don Hallman finally received his honorable discharge from the US Army after he was “undesirably” discharged in 1955 for suspicion of being a “homosexual”. Through our “Stonewall Columbus LGBT Veterans Discharge Review” Program and with the help of Senator Sherrod Brown, Private Donald Hallman of the US Army finally received the honor and dignity that had been so unfairly taken from him so long ago. Mr. Hallman passed in June of 2016, just five months after he received his discharge upgrade but did have a military flag-folding ceremony at his memorial as well as the playing of taps. Donald Hallman was memorialized as the brave soldier he was. It was our honor and privilege to assist Mr. Hallman and ALL of our veterans in regaining the honor that was taken from them. Lori Gum, Program Coordinator, stands with Donald Hallman (bottom)
The Trans Peer Support Group started in May of 2016 as a way for those who identify under the transgender umbrella to connect with others and find support from within the community. What started out with only a few individuals has grown to a network of over 200 community members, including support group meetings that weekly have between 20 and 30 people. The group has grown so large, that a second breakout group has been formed to support the needs of the Non-binary community specifically.
The Stonewall Columbus LGBT Hiking Club hosted 11 hikes with an average attendance of 50 people!
The Stonewall Columbus Queer Ghosthunters turned 1 year old and filmmaker Stu Maddux created a web series based on the group’s adventures. Learn more about the group on Facebook.
Stonewall Columbus presented the 5th annual LGBTFest in partnership with the Columbus International Film + Video Festival and the Columbus College of Art and Design. The festival saw over 50 submissions from filmmakers worldwide and enjoyed robust attendance at all 6 nights of screenings!
Pictured above: Lori Gum hosts a panel discussion with winning directors (top), Accidental Activists (left), Walk For Me (right top), and Golden, Golden (right bottom)
Stonewall Columbus hosted 6 trans wellness events including: Talk with a Doc: An open community conversation with Dr. Keaster (formally with the OSU Trans Clinic) and a conversation with Columbus Speech and Hearing Center employee, Anna Lichtenstein, to talk about her work as a Speech Pathologist, and how she works with trans clients to help them achieve their voice goals, including best practices for working with trans clients.
Stonewall Columbus teamed up with GLAAD, the City of Columbus Division of Fire and the City of Columbus for Spirit Day. Pictured above: City Hall goes purple for Spirit Day
Following the election of President Donald Trump, Stonewall Columbus hosted a panel discussion with BRAVO, Equality Ohio, Equitas Health Institute for LGBTQ Health Equity, and HUE: Helping Us Emerge to address questions from residents about what to expect from the new administration. This panel of experts from the fields of healthcare, policy, family law, and community safety helped the community learn about the potential impacts of a Trump administration on LGBTQ people and how we can stay safe, get involved, and protect our rights.
Hosted Stonewall’s first Strap On Seminar in collaboration with Babeland for all genders and bodies. Participants learned the ins and outs of strap on sex including how to pick a strap-on harness and dildo and how best to use them from a sex toy industry veteran.
Created gender affirming resource guide on How to Bind and supplied over 50 free binders to individuals in need. Click here to see Binding Resource Guide.
Hosted 5 different art shows featuring the work of Queen Brooks, Tamera Bryant, Jan Solari, local Mosaic high school students, Allison Richmond-Leeth, Robert Hardin-Leeth & West Hardin-Leeth, Zakary Burgess and Cole Stevens.
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.
Thanks to an overwhelming response from the community, Stonewall Columbus really BROUGHT THE HEAT this year with our annual Sock Drive!
$300 Donated
820 Pairs of Socks
3 Pairs of Tights
1 Scarf
1 Vest
15 Gloves
7 Hats
3 Tubs of Kids Toys
WE’RE TALKIN’ MAJOR SOCK STORM!
All of the clothing and toys are distributed to various homeless shelters in Central Ohio
Together, we made a difference for so many
Thank You All for Being SO Generous!
(Watch for “Socknado II” – coming December 2017)
SOCKNADO – IT’S ALWAYS PERSONAL!
Hosted an open enrollment event in partnership with Equitas Health and Columbus Public Health. Helped over 30 people get healthcare and helped many others maneuver the Medicaid and health insurance enrollment landscape during year-long post-enrollment assistance
There’s still time to enroll! Get more information here.
InsideOUT, Stonewall Columbus’ support program for LGBTQ incarcerated people expanded to several new prisons throughout the state of Ohio. Representatives of Stonewall Columbus help to facilitate monthly LGBTQ support groups in collaboration with LGBTQ prisoners requesting this support/program. An education workshop teaching others how to implement their own LGBTQ prisoner support group was accepted to the 2017 Creating Change Conference.
Our Stonewall Columbus Trailblazers had quite a busy year! Our 50+ older adults Trailblazers group had 25+ events in 2016, including a trip to the Newport Aquarium, many CATCO, BalletMet and Evolution Theatre shows and a handful of creative workshops!
