ABOUT US

Stonewall Union Pride March circa 1980s.

Mission: Increase visibility, inclusion, and connection for the LGBTQ+ community.

Vision: An Ohio where every LGBTQ+ individual is visible, included, and connected, leading fulfilling lives without fear of discrimination–an Ohio where all of us thrive!

Values: History. Visibility. Inclusion. Connection. Accountability.

Stonewall Columbus is Central Ohio’s LGBTQ+ community organization—founded in 1981 as Stonewall Union. Over the past 40+ years, both Columbus and the LGBTQ+ community have evolved, and so has Stonewall. Today, Stonewall Columbus provides year-round programs, resources, advocacy, and education that strengthen visibility, inclusion, and connection across the region.

The Stonewall Columbus Community Center—“The Center”—is the physical home for this work. Located in the Short North, The Center serves as a welcoming hub where individuals, groups, and families gather, access services, attend programs, and build community.

Columbus is now the 14th largest city in the country and is recognized nationally as one of the most LGBTQ+-friendly cities in the United States—a testament to decades of collective advocacy, community leadership, and the work of organizations like Stonewall.

What We Do:

Community Building & Connection
- We cultivate belonging through year-round programming, affinity groups, and cultural events at the Stonewall Columbus Community Center. Our Pride Festival, Resource Fair & March—one of the Midwest’s largest—welcomes over 700,000 attendees, celebrating LGBTQ+ identity, joy, and solidarity. Across everything we do, we create spaces where individuals, groups, and families can gather, learn, and thrive.
Community Access, Resilience, Empowerment & Support- C.A.R.E.S.
- Through C.A.R.E.S., we provide the front door to Stonewall’s navigational and stabilizing services. C.A.R.E.S. connects community members with affirming resources, basic-needs assistance, referrals to health and wellness providers, peer-support groups, and resilience-building supports—meeting people where they are and helping them move toward stability and empowerment.
Advocacy & Education
- Stonewall Columbus champions LGBTQ+ rights and fosters understanding by providing cultural-competency trainings, educational presentations, and public programs that strengthen inclusion and belonging across Central Ohio.

Our Impact:

Access to Services
- Through C.A.R.E.S. and our community programs, we ensure LGBTQ+ individuals, groups, and families have access to the supports, resources, and affirming care they need to navigate life with dignity.
Enhanced Visibility & Inclusion
- We elevate LGBTQ+ voices, experiences, and issues—helping build a region where diversity is understood, respected, and celebrated.
Community Engagement
- From large-scale events to intimate support spaces, we connect people across identities and generations, fostering a sense of belonging and strengthening the fabric of Central Ohio’s LGBTQ+ community.

In addition to an evolving array of programs Stonewall produces Lavender Listings, a listing of local products and services from LGBTQ+ friendly businesses and organizations, and Columbus Pride; started in 1981 Pride now welcomes over 750,000 visitors to the Columbus region.

Clipping from Ohio Gay Pride Parade 1982 program–fundraising ask.

At Stonewall Columbus, we stand at the intersection of culture, community, and advocacy, proudly serving as a vibrant organization dedicated to the LGBTQ+ community in Central Ohio and beyond.

As we forge ahead we will…

always remember our history as we build our future brick by brick;
be visible, reminding the world that we are strong, vital members of humanity;
be inclusive, because we know what it means to be left out;
be connected, linking needs to resources and people to one another;
stand up for everyone in our community, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, sex, age, race, color, national origin, religion, military status, familial status; or disability.

Programs and Services

Stonewall aims to serve the full spectrum of our LGBTQ+ rainbow by providing access to programs and resources rooted in our four pillars—Economic Empowerment, Family Expansion, Identity Enrichment, and Personal Wellness—making the Center a vital hub for creating community and addressing the evolving needs of LGBTQ+ people across Central Ohio.

Each year, the Stonewall Columbus Community Center welcomes more than 9,000 visitors, and our staff provides connections to services and resources for nearly 30,000 people through walk-ins, phone calls, email, and our website. Our work prioritizes programs that support the most vulnerable among us.

Every month, Stonewall offers a range of opportunities for connection and growth, including coming-out support; men’s, women’s, and gender-expansive support groups; alcohol and drug recovery groups; dance and movement classes; health and wellness offerings; book clubs; and community-building events. Stonewall is proud to have 500+ volunteers and to partner with numerous local organizations. Our strategy is rooted in collaboration—identifying gaps in community programming and services that we can fill, and launching timely initiatives where Stonewall’s broad community reach provides meaningful impact.

Program Pillars:

Economic Empowerment: Stonewall’s Economic Empowerment work is dedicated to providing the LGBTQ+ community with the tools and resources necessary to achieve financial stability and career success. Through job training, resume workshops, and networking events, we aim to bridge the gap between opportunity and achievement, ensuring that every individual has the chance to thrive economically.
Family Expansion: At Stonewall, we believe in the power of family in all its forms. Our family programming supports LGBTQ+ individuals and couples in their journey to build and nurture families. From adoption and surrogacy resources to parenting workshops and family support groups, we provide a compassionate and inclusive environment for every step of the family-building process.
Identity Enrichment: Stonewall’s Identity Enrichment programming aims to celebrate the diverse and intersectional identities within the LGBTQ+ community. We offer a range of cultural, educational, and social activities that honor and explore the unique experiences of our community members. From support groups and cultural events to educational workshops and creative expressions, we help individuals embrace and enrich their authentic selves.
Personal Wellness/Health: Promoting a strong sense of well-being is at the core of Stonewall’s mission. Our Personal Wellness/Health work provides comprehensive support for physical, mental, and emotional health. We offer counseling services, health and wellness workshops, support groups, and physical activities, striving toward providing access to the resources needed for a healthy and fulfilling life for every community member.

Advocacy

Stonewall Union (now known as Stonewall Columbus) was incorporated by local Columbus, Ohio gay activists in 1981, in response to Jerry Falwell’s attempt to establish a Columbus based Moral Majority headquarters. The founding members established three primary goals for Stonewall Union: political lobbying and legislative reform, community building, and education. Today Stonewall Columbus continues its legacy work through community building, education, and advocacy by up lifting key issues central to LGBTQ+ identities.

Finances

Stonewall Columbus, Inc. IRS 990 Forms – Provided by ProPublica
(ProPublica is an independent, nonprofit newsroom that produces investigative journalism with moral force.)

Your Support

Stonewall is not just a building, it is greater than a seeming menagerie of programs and people. For over forty years Stonewall has represented a belief in civil rights, freedom of expression, and an inclusive community for all people. Your monetary support is an investment that is used to support the first and only LGBTQ+ community center in Central Ohio, and the valuable programs and services we provide the LGBTQ+ community. To learn more about individual donor, corporate partnerships, foundation funding or volunteer opportunities contact us!