Overview
Headquarters
Columbus, Ohio
Category
Community center
Stonewall Columbus was founded in 1981 with the goal of “increasing the visibility and acceptance of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) community.” During the course of Stonewall’s 39-year existence, Columbus and the LGBTQ+ community has changed. The City of Columbus is now the 14th largest city in the country and recognized as one of the most LGBTQ+ friendly cities in the United States. In addition to a growing array of programming Stonewall produces Lavender Listings, a listing of local products and services from LGBTQ+ friendly businesses and organizations, and Columbus Pride; started in 1981 Pride now welcomes over 700,000 visitors to the Columbus region. In 2013, Stonewall Columbus set out on a journey to raise funds to help revamp the Center on High in an effort to evolve services and better meet the needs of the LGBTQ+ community; in 2017 renovation and remodeling began and in 2018 the building reopened as the Stonewall Columbus Community Center. As the community has changed so has Stonewall’s mission and vision–now to “increase visibility, inclusion, and connection for the LGBTQ+ community so we see a community where ALL of US thrive.” As we forge ahead we will… (@) always remember our history as we build our future brick by brick; (@) be visible, reminding the world that we are strong, vital members of humanity; (@) be inclusive, because we know what it means to be left out; (@) be connected, linking needs to resources and people to one another; (@) stand up for everyone in our community, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, sex, age, race, color, national origin, religion, military status, familial status; or disability.
