Pride of Columbus

Ever wonder why central Ohio serves as a hub for the LGBTQIA+ community? Local Historian John Clark will tell you

By John M. Clark / Story Design by Bryce Patterson

Believe it or not, without Jerry Falwell–the anti-gay celebrity preacher, the annual Columbus Pride event may not have never developed into the massive, nationally-noted celebration it is today.

It was Falwell’s planned establishment of a Moral Majority chapter in Central Ohio (his political organization) that prompted local LGBTQIA+ community members to speak out – in numbers – against discrimination and form Stonewall Union. That was in September 1981.

Columbus Pride March

Moral Majority never took off here. But Stonewall’s organized protests certainly did, although it has grown massively since its early days. Attendance for their march the following June – the first to be recognized by the City of Columbus - was viewed in person by perhaps 200 people. Many of those marchers wore bags over their heads, fearful that they might lose their jobs in an era when few in their community enjoyed any such protections.

Val Thogmartin was one of three local men credited with forming Stonewall Union, the forerunner to today’s community service agency known as Stonewall Columbus. In a 2004 interview, Thogmartin was quoted as saying, “We were just pioneers trying to forge a way for our people.”

Denny Valot remembers those days well. As the partner of another Stonewall Union pioneer, Craig Huffman, he preferred to stay in the background. “As an employee of the State of Ohio,” the retired attorney said recently, “I could have been fired just for being gay. But we had plenty of planning sessions at our house in Clintonville. And after that protest against Falwell, everyone came back to our house for a big celebration.”

The civil rights activism seed that had been sown during riots at New York’s Stonewall Inn gay club in June 1969 eventually grew into the Midwest’s second-largest Pride march – attended by an estimated 700,000 people last year – topped only by Chicago’s. And because of size limitations being proposed for the event in the Windy City, this year’s march in Columbus might just exceed Chicago’s.

Karla Rothan is a former executive director of Stonewall Columbus. She attributes the popularity of the local event over the years to a number of reasons. “First, the tenacity and dedication of hundreds of brave activists who took to the streets to protest discrimination, many risking the loss of their families and jobs,” she said. “Columbus is home to one of the country’s largest universities, which brings tens of thousands of affirming voices to our city.”

Rothan also points out that a few key city leaders got on board early and began to support the gay rights movement here decades ago, as have many of Central Ohio’s largest employers, who make it a priority to attract the best and brightest talent regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.

Columbus Pride March

Rothan, who spent 12-and-a-half years leading Stonewall Columbus, calls Columbus, “one of the greatest LGBTQ cities in the world.” “And because of Stonewall,” she added, “those who are in this community know where they can turn when they need help. Although there is still work to be done, Columbus is a much more open and affirming city. We don’t want to roll back the clock to the days of covering our faces for fear of losing jobs or families or friendships.”

Densil Porteous, Stonewall Columbus’ current executive director, agreed, adding, “Pride is the demonstration of power within our community. And it’s our single largest annual fundraiser. The proceeds we take in during the Pride March and Festival are used to fund our programs 365 days a year.” Porteous said, “our organization has evolved to keep up with the population growth of the country’s 14th largest city. At Stonewall, we are doing our best to remain representative of our growing LGBTQ community and to continue helping all those in need.”

This month, Columbus will no doubt witness hundreds of thousands from the LGBTQ community and their supporters –perhaps, even, a million – celebrating diversity with their uncovered faces held high and raising their voices even higher.

This year’s Columbus Pride starts with a brunch at the Athenaeum on June 4, followed by a City Hall illumination on June 5, the Pride Festival on June 16 and 17, and the Pride March on June 17.

John Clark is a local historian and author. You can find more unique historical stories about Columbus in his book, “Columbus Uncovered”