Buckeye Pride Month 2018 

The Ohio State University is proud to be taking part in LGBTQ Pride Month. Celebrating Pride as One University creates an opportunity to stand together against discrimination and violence towards LGBTQ people and promote self-affirmation, dignity, equality and the celebration of all who make up our campus community

June is nationally recognized as LGBTQ Pride Month to commemorate the Stonewall riots, which occurred at the end of June 1969. Locally, celebrations include pride parades, workshops, parties, spoken word, speak-outs and concerts. Pride events also offer voice and visibility in memorializing members of the community who have been victimized or lost to hate crimes, or HIV/AIDS. The purpose of Pride Month is to recognize the impact that LGBTQ individuals have had on history locally, nationally and internationally, as well as to bring light to the struggles that continue to exist.

The tradition of Pride existing as an opportunity to illustrate the need for social change, equity, and inclusion continues to this day.

Black Queer and Intersectional Columbus (BQIC) is hosting a community pride celebration in solidarity with the initial message of the #BlackPride4’s 2017 Pride Parade demonstration. The intent of the demonstration was to raise awareness of the violence against queer and trans people of color and to highlight the lack of spaces for queer and trans people of color within the larger LGBTQ community, particularly in events such as the Pride Parade and Festival.

This community pride celebration will begin on June 2 and continue through June 16, with several events such as a film screening and panel discussion, celebration of Marsha P. Johnson Day, and a community pride “Back to Our Roots” festival. More information about BQIC’s community pride can be found on their website here: https://columbuscommunitypride.org/events/.

In June of 1981, the first pride march in Columbus, Ohio was held and roughly 200 people were in attendance. Shortly after, the community organization later to be known as Stonewall Columbus, was founded. Their mission is to increase visibility, inclusion and connection for the LGBTQ community. In June of 2018, this year, Stonewall Columbus is celebrating its 37th year of pride events, beginning with a festival on June 15.

This yearly tradition will continue to include the Pride Parade and Festival on June 16, wherein more than 500,000 people are estimated to be in attendance. More information on Stonewall’s pride events can be found on their website here: https://columbuspride.org.

This year as we embark upon Pride Month, the words of black lesbian feminist Audre Lorde hold a particular truth: “There is no such thing as a single-issue struggle because we do not live single-issue lives.”

The Ohio State University values diversity in people and ideas, and prides itself as an inclusive and supportive community for all. The Student Life Multicultural Center, the College of Social Work and the LGBTQ Leaders Consortium of student organizations will be hosting a series of workshops focused on the intersections of race, gender and sexuality. This series of workshops will strive to increase self-awareness, explore beliefs about race, and examine racism. Participants will learn tools for allyship, and develop a personal plan of action toward creating affirming, inclusive spaces in their friendship circles, academic units and student organizations. The series is open to all students, faculty, staff and alumni and will take place monthly, beginning June 28. More information about the workshops can be requested by emailing wellman.63@osu.edu.

Celebrating LGBTQ Pride Month as One University is an important campus tradition. This year, “Buckeye Pride” t-shirts will be made available to all members of our campus community whether participants choose to take part in all, some, or none of the pride events that have been mentioned.

You can register by clicking the button below. Please note that supplies are limited and registration will close on Friday, June 1.