LGBTQ Pride Month

June is LGBTQ Pride Month!

Every year, festivals and marches occur all across the world in celebration of the LGBTQ community and our collective liberation. LGBTQ Pride Month is recognized in June to commemorate the Stonewall Inn Uprising. In the early hours of June 28, 1969, police raided a gay bar in New York City called Stonewall Inn and began making arrests. This night, the patrons of Stonewall fought back, resisting arrest and beginning a riot that would continue for the next 6 days. While this was not the first instance of the LGBTQ community fighting back against mistreatment, the Stonewall riots received more mainstream attention than similar protests. The Stonewall Uprising is seen as a tipping point in the LGBTQ rights movement. One year later in 1970, LGBTQ activists organized a march to commemorate the riots. As Stonewall Inn was located on Christopher Street, the event was called the Christopher Street Liberation Day March. LGBTQ folks marched from Stonewall Inn to Central Park, where they then staged a “gay-in” by occupying the park. The Christopher Street Liberation Day March became an annual occurrence and the idea spread, eventually evolving into the Pride events we celebrate today.

In celebration of LGBTQ Pride Month, colleges and offices across Ohio State collaborate on a series of events.

Wexner Medical Center Lighting Ceremony

Date: Wednesday, June 5, 2024
Time: 8:30-9:30 p.m.
Location: Meiling Plaza (outside Meiling Hall)

Every June, the trees on Rhodes Plaza in front of the Wexner Medical Center (WMC) are lit in rainbow colors to celebrate Pride Month. For the first time, there will be a ceremony to celebrate and call attention to this display of support for the LGBTQ+ community! This event will feature a performance by the Columbus Gay Men’s Chorus, as well as remarks from WMC leadership and local openly LGBTQ+ elected officials, including Columbus City Auditor Megan Kilgore. This event is organized by Buckeye Pride, the LGBTQ+ employee resource group for The Ohio State University, and Wexner Medical Center. 

If you have any questions, email Natalie Hurst at natalie.hurst@osumc.edu.

Alumni and Friends Pride Reception

Date: Thursday, June 13, 2024
Time: 6-8 p.m.
Location: Longaberger Alumni House (2200 Olentangy River Road)

Meet up with alumni and friends for a cocktail reception at Longaberger Alumni House to kick off Columbus Pride festivities! Guests will have the opportunity to connect with leaders of Scarlet and Gay (Ohio State's LGBTQ Alumni Society) and pick up a Buckeye Pride T-shirt. The event is hosted by The Ohio State University Alumni Association. Complimentary parking passes will be available.

Pride Brunch

Date: Friday, June 14, 2024
Time: Doors open at 10:15 a.m. Program 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Location: Longaberger Alumni House (2200 Olentangy River Road)

On June 14, Ohio State will hold its 3rd annual Pride Brunch! Join us as we celebrate our Buckeye Pride with LGBTQ+ community members and allies from all across Ohio State! This free event includes a catered breakfast, guest speakers, plus appearances from local musician Kelly Vaughn and Buckeye Paws. Event programming will include a keynote speech from Densil Porteous, the Executive Director of Stonewall Columbus, followed by a panel featuring four of our very own Buckeyes who work within OSU/OSU Wexner Medical Center. Come to mingle, learn, get some Pride swag, and celebrate Pride!

The RSVP form can be found at this link or by scanning the first QR code on this page. If you have any questions, email Natalie Hurst at natalie.hurst@osumc.edu. Complimentary parking passes will be available.

Stonewall Columbus Pride March and Festival

Every June, Stonewall Columbus hosts the Columbus Pride March and Festival. For 2024, the Columbus Pride March is June 15 at Goodale Park. You can find more information on the Stonewall Columbus Pride website. 

Each year, a contingent of Buckeyes come together to march in the Columbus Pride March. Those who march with Ohio State receive a Buckeye Pride t-shirt. Sign up to march with Ohio State at go.osu.edu/pridemarch or scan the second QR code on this page! If you have any questions, email Ari Grubaugh at grubaugh.20@osu.edu.

Stonewall Columbus Pride Festival & Resource Fair (Day 1)

Friday, June 14, 2024
4-10 p.m. at Goodale Park

Pride March

Saturday, June 15, 2024
March step off at 10:30 a.m. 
The parade route starts at the intersection of Broad St. & High St., and travels down High St to Goodale Park.

Stonewall Columbus Pride Festival & Resource Fair (Day 2)

Saturday, June 15, 2024
11 a.m. - 8 p.m. at Goodale Park

Local Pride

In addition to Stonewall Columbus Pride March and Festival, localities across Central Ohio are hosting their own celebrations! Check out Pride festivities in Central Ohio below. For a full list of Ohio Pride events, visit The Buckeye Flame's 2024 Ohio LGBTQ+ Pride Guide.

Saturday, June 1

Delaware Ohio Pride
10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Boardman Arts Park, Delaware

Sunday, June 2

Worthington Pride
12 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Worthington Historic District

Saturday, June 8

Hilliard Pride
Noon - 3 p.m.
Station Park in Old Hilliard

Sunday, June 9

Rainbow UA Pride
1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Sunny 95 Park, 4395 Carriage Hill Ln, Columbus

Saturday, June 22

Granville Pride
4 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Lamson Lodge, Denison University, 200 Washington Dr, Granville

Saturday, June 29

Minerva Park Pride
4 p.m. -8 p.m.
Minerva Park Pool, Valley Rd, Columbus

Special Thanks

Planning these events is a collaborative effort from dedicated folks across the University. Buckeye Pride events are planned by The Ohio State University Alumni Association, Scarlet and Gay Alumni Society, Wexner Medical Center and College of Medicine, Ohio State's LGBTQIA+ & Allies ERG, College of Social Work, TBDBITL Alumni Marching Band, Department of Transportation and Traffic Management, Center for Belonging and Social Change, and Office for Disability Services at Ohio State Marion.