As the eleventh person to hold the role of Executive Director for Stonewall Columbus, I find myself reflecting on the incredible journey this organization has embarked on over the past several years. Witnessing the evolution of Stonewall, an organization that has continuously adapted to the changing needs of our LGBTQ+ community for over 40 years, is a testament to our community’s resilience.
Stonewall Columbus has been a trailblazer, addressing LGBTQ+ causes that required organized support in Central Ohio. Throughout its history, this organization’s leaders have laid the foundation for inspired work that subsequent organizations have built upon. Organizational evolution, much like human evolution, is vital because it is the only way to survive the changing landscape around us — we strive not just to exist but to thrive.
On this World AIDS Day, a day marked by remembrance and solidarity, we must acknowledge the profound impact of HIV/AIDS on our community. Let us draw inspiration from the remarkable history of ACT UP, an organization that exemplified the strength of unity in the face of a crisis. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, ACT UP brought together individuals from diverse backgrounds, forging a coalition that transcended differences to confront the devastating impact of the AIDS epidemic.
Much like the varied and intersectional voices that converged within ACT UP, our LGBTQ+ community is a tapestry of identities, experiences, and perspectives. This diversity is our strength. Stonewall Columbus, too, stands as a testament to the power of coming together for a common cause.
In the fight against HIV/AIDS, ACT UP showcased the potential when individuals set aside differences to work towards a shared goal — demanding funding, support, and recognition. Today, as we confront the challenges that impact our community, let’s heed this call for unity. Whether advocating for resources, battling discrimination, or fostering inclusivity, our collective strength can drive positive change — we’ve seen it happen in our lifetimes.
Stonewall Columbus is committed to being a space where a variety of voices are heard, where diversity is celebrated, and where, like the activists of ACT UP, we unite for a common purpose. Our shared vision of a thriving LGBTQ+ community requires us to come together, recognizing that our differences make us resilient, our struggles make us compassionate, and our unity makes us unstoppable.
As we commemorate World AIDS Day and reflect on the lessons of ACT UP, let’s recommit ourselves to the principles that brought us here: solidarity, resilience, and the unwavering belief that, together, we can create a future where every LGBTQ+ individual is not just seen but thriving.
As a nonprofit, Stonewall Columbus recommits to doing the right thing for our community. Created with and supported by the community, this organization is larger than any individual guiding it past or future. We are seen because members, allies, and accomplices of our LGBTQ+ family are stepping forward, working to create a more inclusive and equitable Central Ohio — a community where LGBTQ+ identities are no longer singularly celebrated in June but celebrated every day of the year.
To our members, allies, and accomplices: We see you, we appreciate you, and we thank you for your unwavering support. Together, we are making strides toward a more vibrant, inclusive, and joyous future.
With Pride,
Densil R. Porteous
Executive Director
