Stonewall Columbus saw over 20,000 marchers in our Pride March and welcomed over 700,000 people during the course of the Stonewall Columbus Pride weekend. Our Pride events have grown to be one of the largest moments of celebration and recognition of pride for the LGBTQ+ community across the country. Pride is protest: to be seen, to be heard, to gain our liberation.
It is essential to reflect on the deeper meaning of Pride as a protest—a time to honor our past, celebrate our present, and pave the way for a future rooted in equality and liberation. Our journey forward as the Queer/LGBTQ+ community necessitates making space for all voices within our diverse and vibrant community.
Since stepping into the role of Executive Director at Stonewall Columbus in the summer of 2020—amid the COVID-19 pandemic and at the height of a wave of protests across the United States and around the world in response to police brutality and other injustices against Black and Brown people in America—I have witnessed firsthand the power and necessity of protest. We must never forget the Stonewall Uprisings sparked a flame that would ignite the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement, reminding us that visibility and protest are intertwined in our struggle for justice.
The history of our movement is rich with moments of collective action and solidarity. ACT UP, for example, represented a critical time when our community recognized the need for diverse forms of activism to push social movements forward. Though there were disagreements about the approach to activism, the understanding that different strategies were essential to progress was clear. This spirit of varied yet unified activism is something we must continue to embrace.
This year’s Stonewall Columbus Pride events—from our Brunch on June 4, to the march and festival on June 14 and 15, and our Family Pride Network Storytime event on June 23—worked to make space for a variety of community identities while uplifting and celebrating our community’s Pride. These events, which included over 200 nonprofit and corporate vendors, performances by artists such as Madison Rose, Beane, and Trey Pearson, and multiple stages showcasing diverse talent, were not just about celebration; they were about being seen and ensuring that the tapestry of our community was recognized and heard. It is through these acts of visibility that we assert our presence and demonstrate our joy.
This year, we also faced a peaceful protest during our Pride march on June 15 by Disabled Queers for Palestine, who brought attention to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Through negotiation, we made space for the protestors, ensuring their message was heard, while ensuring their safety and that of our marchers and spectators—the march resumed peacefully. This outcome serves as a reminder that Pride is protest and that our communities can work together to create space for each other while ensuring safety for all—whether protesting, spectating, or celebrating.
Our community consists of intersections, and it is imperative that we work together to uplift the various identities within our intersectional community. We must find ways to demonstrate our capacity to make things happen and do so by standing together in our power—not against one another.
I’ve come to accept that with leadership should come a profound sense of responsibility. I am acutely aware that my actions, decisions, and words are not just reflective of my own beliefs but are also emblematic of the communities I represent. I guide not only with the aim of achieving organizational goals but also with the hope of inspiring a new generation of queer leaders to see themselves as leaders, change-makers, and vital contributors to the world.
As we reflect on this Pride Month, let us remember that our strength lies in our diversity and our ability to embrace all voices within our community. Together, we can continue to move forward towards a future where every individual is free to live authentically and with pride. We must carry the spirit of Pride with us throughout the year, standing in solidarity and striving for a world where equality and liberation are realities for all.
Our Pride is 365—a year-round commitment to ourselves and each other, a constant striving for a more inclusive tomorrow. I am thankful for the many volunteers and partners who show up every day ensuring we are able to make a welcoming and inclusive space for the community.
June may be over, but we must strive to “Live Out Loud” each and every day.
With Pride,
Densil
