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Stonewall Columbus Pride History

Stonewall Columbus Pride

Pride History

Columbus Pride began as a courageous act of visibility. What started with a few hundred people marching in 1981 has grown into one of the largest Pride gatherings in the region—rooted in community, shaped by activism, and sustained by people who show up year after year.

A note on “firsts”: Local accounts reflect a first Pride march in June 1981, with June 26, 1982 often cited as the first official march/parade of that early era. Both moments matter—and together they tell the story of Pride becoming public.

Why we tell this history

Pride isn’t just a weekend—it’s a living record of advocacy, joy, grief, community care, and political power. This page is a shared timeline: a place to learn, remember, and honor the people who built what we now celebrate.

The Stonewall Columbus organization was founded in 1981 (as Stonewall Union) and has remained deeply connected to the story of Pride in Columbus—supporting the community year-round while helping steward Pride as a moment of visibility and a critical fundraiser for community programs.

Explore Pride today

Timeline highlights

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1980s — The early years

June 1981
Columbus’ first Pride march
A few hundred people marched—some concealing their identities for safety.
June 26, 1982
First “official” Pride march/parade of the era
Often cited as the first official Pride march/parade in Columbus, building on earlier demonstrations.

1990s — Growth and deeper roots

1995
Stonewall moves to 1160 N. High Street
A permanent home strengthened the Organization’s ability to convene, plan, and grow support for the community.
1990s
Pride becomes a civic presence
Pride continued to mature as visibility expanded and the region’s LGBTQ+ infrastructure grew.

2010s — Expansion, infrastructure, and public visibility

2013–2018
Stonewall Builds and the modern community center
Capital campaign and renovation work culminated in the reopening of the Stonewall Columbus Community Center/The Center.
2017–2018
A period of reckoning and renewed community dialogue
Pride and the broader community engaged hard questions about belonging, safety, and representation.

2020s — Resilience, return, and record-setting Pride

2020
Pride goes virtual during COVID
In-person events were postponed and shifted online, including “Pride Parades of History”.
2022
Return to in-person Pride
Pride returned at major scale, with large registered marchers (over 22,000) and very high estimated attendance (roughly 720,000).

Attendance counts can vary by source and methodology (e.g., registrations vs. estimated visitors).

Archival resources

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Stonewall Columbus history archive

A living timeline of Stonewall Columbus milestones that intersect with Pride, advocacy, and community building.

Explore the Stonewall history timeline

Ohio Memory / Ohio History Connection

Digitized materials like Pride pamphlets and historical context for LGBTQ+ organizing in Ohio.

View Ohio Memory Pride materials

Historic reflections interview

An Ohio History Connection post capturing stories and context from early Pride years and community evolution.

Read the interview

Share your story

Do you have photos, flyers, buttons, t-shirts, signs, or a story from Pride in Columbus—especially from earlier decades? We’re building a richer public record of our community’s history.

Contribute an artifact/story
Contact Stonewall Columbus

Tip: If you’re emailing photos, include the approximate year, names (if you have permission), and any context you’d want preserved.

 

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