Title
To recognize Stonewall Columbus for their 34th year of service to our community, and to celebrate the 2015 Pride Parade and Festival.
Body
WHEREAS, Stonewall Columbus was founded in June of 1981, on the 12th anniversary of the historic Stonewall Riots in New York City; and
WHEREAS, since its founding, the organization has provided programming and services that enhance the well-being and visibility of Columbus's vibrant and diverse gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, questioning and allied (GLBTQA) community; and
WHEREAS, every June, Stonewall Columbus hosts the Pride holiday, a month-long celebration that culminates in the annual Pride Parade and Festival, which attract over 300,000 attendees while contributing millions of dollars to the local economy; and
WHEREAS, the theme for the 2015 Pride Festival is "Be the Change" and features Grand Marshall Jim Obergefell, an Ohioan who is fighting tirelessly to bring marriage equality to our state and America; and
WHEREAS, with its numerous events, activities and vendors - Pride will be held June 19th and 20th at Goodale Park, with the Pride parade stepping off downtown at 11am on the 20th; and
WHEREAS, beyond bringing crowds and dollars to the city and region by hosting this annual event, Stonewall Columbus embodies the pride, courage and aspiration of a community that has contributed so much to the city of Columbus; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That this Council does hereby recognize Stonewall Columbus for their thirty-four years of service to the Central Ohio GLBTQA community, and celebrates the 2015 Pride Parade and Festival June 19-20, 2015.