As I complete my term as Vice President of the Board, I find myself full of gratitude for what we have built together and full of anticipation for what comes next. Over the last three years I have focused much of my energy on strengthening the infrastructure of our organization, the systems and structures that often go unseen but that allow everything else we do to function well. It has been meaningful work, and I leave this role with a deep appreciation for the people who make Stonewall Columbus what it is.
Like the reflection I take in the roles I’ve held on the Stonewall Columbus Board of Trustees, LGBTQ+ History Month gives us a natural moment to pause and look both backward and forward at the same time. It is a chance to honor everything that brought us to this point and to ask ourselves what we owe to those who will come after us. Each of us who does this work is driven by something personal, a connection to community, a memory, a hope for what our future can look like. But none of us can carry that work alone. We need each other, we need community, and we need to stay focused on the impact of what we do together rather than what any one person accomplishes alone. The history of the LGBTQ+ community is rich and vibrant, and we carry a responsibility to pass that legacy forward so future generations inherit something even stronger than what we received.
Preserving our history is not a passive act. It takes intention. It takes people willing to record stories, protect archives, and make sure names are not forgotten. I think often about the people who built Stonewall Columbus from the ground up, who saw a need in this community and refused to let it go unmet. Their courage created the opportunities we now live in, and hopefully never take for granted.
I want to specifically recognize Densil Porteous, whose partnership meant so much to me as our organization worked to recover from the disruption of COVID-19. Those were not easy days. We were rebuilding programs, rebuilding trust, and rebuilding momentum, often all at once. Working alongside Densil during that period taught me what steady, values driven leadership looks like under pressure, and I am grateful for that experience.
History is not only something we read about. It lives in the people around us today, many of whom fought for the rights and freedoms we now hold. When we listen to their stories, we understand that the past is not distant. It is present in every program we run and every door we keep open. I am reminded of my return to Columbus in 2008. I had not long been out and was desperately in need of Community. I attended my first Pride festival and was a bit overwhelmed. However, when I stumbled upon a meeting of black gay men inside the Stonewall Center, I knew I had found my place. No one could have told me that the young man who found connection and a voice would return to help guide the organization that was his lifeline. I served and continue to believe in the mission of Stonewall Columbus for the many people who will find themselves within our walls or within our program.
Serving on this board has given me a front row view of everything it takes to keep this mission alive. I have watched staff pour creativity into events held right here in our center, transforming ideas into experiences that bring our community together. I have also witnessed that same small team lead a delegation to put on the largest pride festival and parade seen in the Midwest. I have seen volunteers give their time again and again, because they believe deeply in what we are building. Our donors have shown a kind of visionary generosity that inspires the rest of us to think bigger. And our members remind us constantly why this work matters. They show up. They stay engaged. They become ambassadors who carry our mission into rooms we may never enter ourselves.
During my time on the board, I watched Stonewall Columbus grow with real intention. Our programming has expanded to meet more needs across our community, including the continued development of the Out to Work Program, which has opened doors for so many people seeking affirming employment opportunities. We have invested in creating spaces where people feel genuinely welcome. We have strengthened relationships across Columbus, building bridges with partners who share our commitment to inclusion. Among everything I have been part of, I am especially proud of the work we did to reinforce our organizational infrastructure. Strong systems allow strong programs to thrive, and I believe that foundation will serve this organization well for years to come.
One of the greatest privileges of serving on this board has been witnessing the extraordinary commitment of the people who believe deeply in this mission. To our staff, thank you for your creativity and your dedication. To our volunteers, thank you for the countless hours you give without expecting anything in return. To our members, thank you for showing up and reminding us that together we can build an Ohio where LGBTQ+ people thrive. To our donors and sponsors, thank you for your generosity and your belief in our future. To our community partners, thank you for standing alongside us. And to my fellow board members, thank you for your partnership and your shared commitment to something bigger than any of us individually. Every contribution, whether of time, talent, or resources, helps ensure Stonewall remains a vital community institution.
Our history connects directly to our responsibility moving forward. We must continue meeting the needs of today while preserving the stories that brought us here. This work is never finished. It evolves alongside our community, and it requires each new generation of leaders to pick up where the last left off, carrying the mission with passion and care.
As you reflect on your personal and communal journey throughout this LGBTQ+ History Month, I hope you will join us for Come Out For Stonewall on October 17, a celebration of our community and an investment in the future of Stonewall Columbus. Your support helps sustain our programs and services for years to come. And like most Stonewall events, it promises to be a great time!
I also encourage you to be part of the Donald R. Hallman Veterans Recognition Ceremony on November 12th. Honoring LGBTQ+ veterans is an essential part of preserving our collective history, and their stories of service and sacrifice deserve to be remembered. Please consider nominating a veteran in our community through our nomination form.
As I conclude my service on the Stonewall Columbus Board of Trustees, I do so with tremendous gratitude and optimism. The legacy of Stonewall Columbus was built by people who believed in a more inclusive future. Our task now is not simply to protect that legacy, but to strengthen it, expand it, and ensure it continues to serve our community for generations to come.
In Community,
Dr. Terrence J. Brooks
Vice President
Stonewall Board of Trustees
