On Tuesday, April 16th, I had the privilege of attending a Franklin County Commissioners‘ meeting [virtually], where I accepted a resolution authorizing a generous $50,000 grant agreement with Stonewall Columbus. This grant is a testament to the county’s commitment to supporting our annual PRIDE Festival, Resource Fair & March and it plays a crucial role in offsetting the registration fees for many LGBTQ+ and allied organizations across Franklin County.
The importance of this moment was beautifully encapsulated by Perla Martinez, who read the following recognition:
“A historic turning point in the movement toward equal rights for LGBTQIA+ people occurred on June 28, 1969, at the Stonewall Inn in New York City, when two transgender women of color, Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, took a stand for human rights and dignity for LGBTQIA+ community members, who then in turn, rose up and fought back against police harassment and brutality.
A year later, in June of 1970, Brenda Howard, often called ‘The Mother of Pride,’ helped to plan a Gay Pride Week and the Christopher Street Liberation Day Parade to commemorate the first anniversary of the Stonewall Inn Uprising, which evolved into the annual New York City Pride March and Pride celebrations now known around the world.
Stonewall was then solidified as a key moment in the LGBTQIA+ civil rights movement by the marches that began a year later. In Columbus, the event first took place in 1981, drawing 200 people. That same year, Stonewall Union [now known as Stonewall Columbus] was founded with the goal of ‘increasing visibility, inclusion, and connection for the LGBTQIA+ community so we see a community where ALL of US thrive.’
In addition to an evolving array of programs, Stonewall produces Lavender Listings, a compilation of LGBTQIA+ friendly businesses and organizations, as well as offering a plethora of services dedicated to the LGBTQIA+ community that range from free health and legal aid clinics, to family planning, racial justice resources, veteran services, among others, and the Columbus PRIDE Festival, March & Resource Fair, that now welcomes over 700,000 visitors to the Columbus region, making it the largest Pride Parade in the Midwest.
Central Ohio is now recognized as one of the most LGBTQIA+ friendly regions in the United States.”
This recognition highlights the significant strides we’ve made since the Stonewall Uprising and underscores the enduring importance of our work at Stonewall Columbus. Our mission to increase visibility, inclusion, and connection for the LGBTQ+ community is more vital than ever, and this grant will help us continue to create a space where all members of our community can thrive.
The Columbus PRIDE Festival, Resource Fair & March is not just an event; it is a celebration of our progress, a demonstration of our resilience, and a reaffirmation of our commitment to equality.
As we head into Pride Month and ready ourselves for this year’s events, we are deeply grateful to the Franklin County Commissioners for their support. This grant will enable us to provide greater access and opportunities for participation, ensuring that our Pride events remain inclusive and accessible to all.
Together, we will continue to honor the legacy of those who came before us and build a future where everyone, regardless of their identity, can live with dignity and pride.
Thank you for standing with us.
With pride,
Densil Porteous
Executive Director
