FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 20, 2026
Stonewall Columbus Names LuSter P Singleton as 2026 Patron of Pride
Community-rooted artist, historian, and cultural leader to be honored during Pride season centered on “Until We’re All Free”
COLUMBUS, OH — Stonewall Columbus is proud to announce that LuSter P Singleton has been named the 2026 Patron of Pride, recognizing a lifetime of cultural leadership, community-building, and commitment to preserving and advancing LGBTQ+ history in Central Ohio.
A queer, Black, Appalachian, trans-masculine artist, writer, and community leader, Singleton has spent decades shaping the cultural and communal landscape of Columbus. From performance stages to community spaces, their work has centered visibility, belonging, and the power of storytelling as a tool for survival and liberation.
A native of Zanesville, Ohio—what LuSter proudly calls “Y-bridge river country”—their work is deeply informed by the intersections of identity, faith, and lived experience. A graduate of The Ohio State University, where they earned both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Women’s Studies, LuSter has long been engaged in advancing equity and inclusion. Their leadership includes serving as a coordinator for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Student Services and as Director of Ethnic Student Services at Ohio State.
For more than 35 years, LuSter has been a dynamic force in the world of performance and cultural production. Known for their gender-bending personas Lustivious Dela Virgion and Luster Dela V., they have contributed to the evolution of drag and gender performance both locally and nationally. As co-founder of Fast Friday Productions, they played a pivotal role in the development of the internationally recognized drag king troupe H.I.S. KINGS and the International Drag King Extravaganza (IDKE).
Their impact extends beyond the stage. For 14 years, LuSter served as the coordinator for the Pride Family and Teen Area at Stonewall Columbus’s annual Pride Festival, helping to create affirming, multigenerational spaces for LGBTQ+ youth and families. Their work as a storyteller and historian has also been instrumental in preserving the legacy of lesbian bar culture and the spaces that have sustained queer life in Ohio.
Every year since 2021, Stonewall Columbus has named a Patron of Pride to recognize individuals whose impact has helped shape LGBTQ+ life through advocacy, visibility, and cultural contribution. In 2026, under the theme “Until We’re All Free,” the organization is intentionally centering the role of community-rooted leaders whose work sustains connection, culture, and belonging.
LuSter P Singleton will be recognized at the Stonewall Columbus Pride Brunch on Sunday, June 7, 2026, and will take part in Pride weekend programming, including appearances during the Pride Festival on June 19 – 20 and the Pride March on June 20.
Stonewall Columbus Pride is one of the largest Pride celebrations in the Midwest, drawing hundreds of thousands of attendees each year for a weekend of visibility, celebration, and advocacy. All Pride events are free and open to the public, reinforcing Stonewall’s commitment to accessibility and community engagement.
The 2026 theme, “Until We’re All Free,” calls attention to the interconnected nature of liberation and the ongoing work required to ensure that all people—across race, gender identity, sexuality, and lived experience—can live fully and authentically.
For more information about Stonewall Columbus Pride 2026, visit www.stonewallcolumbus.org
About Stonewall Columbus
Stonewall Columbus is a community-centered organization dedicated to increasing visibility, inclusion, and connection for the LGBTQ+ community in Central Ohio. Through year-round programming, advocacy, and events such as the annual Pride Festival and March, Stonewall works to ensure that all members of the community are seen, supported, and thriving.
