This past weekend, June 13 & 14, Stonewall Columbus witnessed an extraordinary outpouring of community solidarity and celebration at our Pride Festival & Resource Fair—and in the streets of downtown Columbus. Here’s why we’re beaming with pride:
- 18,000+ marchers on June 14 marched beneath banners of joy, queer resistance, and righteous protest—calling out injustice while proclaiming love.
- Over 650,000 attendees joined us across two incredible days of ceremonies, entertainment, and connection—bringing energy and hope to Goodale Park and beyond.
- We’re proud to estimate an economic impact of $7.6 million for the City & County—fueling local hotels, restaurants, shops, vendors, and performers .
- This year’s theme, “United in Power,” filtered through every moment—our community stood in solidarity, intersectional pride, and unstoppable resilience.
What we saw was pure queer and allied resistance—not just in protest but in joy. Celebration is resistance. From spontaneous chants and rainbow exuberance to seeing individuals and organizations show up as their full selves, we witnessed the profound power of visibility and unity.
This weekend offered more than a festival—it was a statement. A mass declaration that LGBTQ+ lives matter, that we will not stay silent, and that in joy we find our collective strength.
We know this Pride was a testament to months of hard work from our staff, volunteers, vendors, sponsors, and partners. Your dedication—especially in the face of budget challenges—is what made this possible. We are endlessly grateful.
- To the Stonewall Columbus team: thank you for believing in what we can create together.
- To Sierra and Cass, our dynamic Pride Coordinators—your vision and leadership shaped every vibrant moment.
- To our marchers, delegates, performers, caretakers, vendors, sponsors, donors, and volunteers—thank you for bringing the vision to life.
- To our public and private safety teams your presence and your care were seen and we thank you.
Columbus, you showed up United in Power—and you showed up in love. Here’s to the next chapter of our movement. May we carry this weekend’s momentum forward—in protest and in pride, in joy and in solidarity.
Together, we rise. Together, we are seen!
Densil R. Porteous
Executive Director, Stonewall Columbus
