Stonewall Columbus Celebrates Travis Shumake as the 2024 Champion of Pride
Columbus, Ohio — June 4th, 2024 — Stonewall Columbus is honored to announce Travis Shumake as our Champion of Pride for this year. Travis, a pioneering figure in motorsports as NHRA’s first openly gay driver, exemplifies what it means to live authentically and amplify underrepresented voices.
“This year, as we galvanize the community to ‘Live Out Loud,’ we are proud to spotlight Travis Shumake, whose daring presence in motorsports drives the message of equality across finish lines and into the hearts of millions,” said Densil Porteous, Executive Director of Stonewall Columbus. “Travis’ contributions resonate deeply with our mission—his roar on the racetracks and his efforts off them, echo the resounding call for visibility and change.”
Travis Shumake’s journey, from his impactful activism with the Human Rights Campaign to his notable achievements, including the establishment of the first openly gay professional touring race team, aligns seamlessly with our Pride celebration. Shumake has not only set records in speed but also in breaking barriers, fostering inclusivity, and promoting LGBTQ+ representation in a sport where such efforts are both crucial and challenging.
Columbus science and technology giant, CAS, a division of the American Chemical Society, is proud to be partner with Travis Shumake Racing in collaboration with Stonewall Columbus. “CAS embraces diversity, equity and inclusion. We come from all backgrounds, all colors and speak over 50 languages at CAS. We embrace pioneers and leaders like Travis; who is transforming the sport of top fuel drag racing, plus our friends at Stonewall Columbus,” said Dr. Michael Dennis, CAS vice president.
Stonewall Columbus invites the community to join us in commemorating Travis’s accomplishments during the Columbus Pride Festival and March. His story, marked by resilience and passion, will be a highlight of our Pride month festivities, which will feature an array of events that embody our theme, from the Pride Brunch to educational and social activities designed to inspire, connect, and foster dialogue.
For more information about our events and how to get involved, please visit our website at https://stonewallcolumbus.org/pride/.
About Stonewall Columbus: Founded in 1981, Stonewall Columbus serves Central Ohio’s LGBTQ+ community by providing a wide array of advocacy, educational, cultural, community programming and connection to resources that affirm the lives of LGBTQ+ people and their accomplices. As a community-focused organization, Stonewall Columbus is committed to fostering a climate of respect and diversity within the Central Ohio area. Stonewall Columbus, an independent 501(c)(3)nonprofit, is one of the oldest LGBTQ+ community centers in the country.
About CAS: A leader in scientific information solutions, partnering with innovators around the world to accelerate scientific breakthroughs. CAS employs over 1,400 experts who curate, connect, and analyze scientific knowledge to reveal unseen connections. For over 100 years, scientists, patent professionals, and business leaders have relied on CAS solutions and expertise to provide the hindsight, insight, and foresight they need so they can build upon the learnings of the past to discover a better future. CAS is a division of the American Chemical Society. Connect with us at cas.org.
