Columbus, OH — September 2024 — In a significant stride towards preserving LGBTQ+ history, Stonewall Columbus is proud to announce acceptance in the Ohio Historical Marker program. The marker aims to honor the rich history and ongoing contributions of Stonewall Columbus to the local community and the broader movement for LGBTQ+ rights across the state.
The marker text celebrates the founding of Stonewall Union, now Stonewall Columbus, in 1981 and its pivotal role in advocating for the LGBTQ+ community through activism, education, and community building. Notably, the marker details the organization’s early efforts in organizing the city’s first Pride march and its contributions to significant legislative reforms and social awareness.
This recognition places Stonewall Columbus among a select group of historical sites in Ohio that are acknowledged for their impact on the LGBTQ+ community and society at large. It underscores the importance of LGBTQ+ spaces in fostering community and driving social change.
Densil Porteous, Executive Director of Stonewall Columbus, stated, “This historical marker is not just a recognition of Stonewall Columbus’ past but a light for the future. It serves as a testament to the struggles and triumphs of the LGBTQ+ community here in Central Ohio and reflects our communities ongoing commitment to advocacy, education, and support for all of our members.”
K. Terry Smith, President of the Board, added, “The Ohio Historical Marker is a significant acknowledgment of our community’s resilience and the pivotal role that Stonewall Columbus has played in the LGBTQ+ rights movement across Ohio. It is a reminder that our work continues to be crucial and impactful.”
Stonewall Columbus will host a dedication ceremony for the historical marker sometime during 2025. The event will include comments from key community leaders, a tour of the Stonewall Columbus Community Center, and an overview of the organization’s history and future initiatives.
This marker joins just three other markers commemorating LGBTQ+ history in Ohio. The Ohio Historical Marker program is administered by the Ohio History Connection. Since 1957, the program has placed more than 1,700 markers.
About Stonewall Columbus: Stonewall Columbus, an independent 501(c)(3)nonprofit, is one of the oldest LGBTQ+ community organizations in the country–founded in 1981. Stonewall Columbus serves Central
Ohio’s LGBTQ+ community by providing a community center and organizing an evolving array of programming, and making connections to services that enhance the well-being and visibility of our diverse community through discovery, affirmation, and celebration.
