William “Bill” Hardy had the thought to bring several organizations together to better serve the HIV/AIDS community and through that process was also able to expand needed social services and support for the LGBTQ+ community here in Columbus and across the state. The Equitas Health organization has evolved as the community it seeks to serve has evolved and Mr. Hardy’s departure is another moment in the organization’s life cycle as it evolves into an organization best suited to serve the communities it aims to serve—externally and internally.
Stonewall Columbus looks forward to working in partnership with Equitas Health as the organization navigates this moment and the transition to new leadership—our queer community needs to see organizations coming together to better support the vision of full equity and equality, in all aspects of our lived experience, for the plethora of diverse and intersectional identities in our beautifully colorful community.
Densil R. Porteous (he/they)
Executive Director
Stonewall Columbus