Title
To Recognize Stonewall Columbus for their 35th year of service to our community, and to celebrate the 2016 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 their founding, the organization has provided programming, representation, and services that enhance the well-being and visibility of Columbus's vibrant and diverse lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, and intersex (LGBTQI) community; and
WHEREAS, every June, Stonewall Columbus hosts the Pride holiday, a month-long celebration that culminates in the annual Pride Parade and Festival that attract over 300,000 attendees, while contributing millions of dollars to the local economy and creating a safe and progressive medium for the LGBTQI community to connect with others and express themselves; and
WHEREAS, the theme for the 2016 Pride Festival is “35 Years of Pride in Columbus,” and Captain Lana Moore from the Division of Fire is Grand Marshal of the Pride Parade this year. Lana is transgender and has traveled the state sharing her story and speaking on transgender issues within the LGBTQI movement in Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Dayton; and
WHEREAS, featuring a number of vendors, activities and events, Pride will be held from June 17th through the 19th at Goodale Park, with the Pride parade stepping off downtown at 10:30 am on the 18th of June; and
WHEREAS, Pride not only serves as a means to bring the different communities of Ohio together in recognizing the courage and fortitude of the LGBTQI community in their ongoing fight for equality and acceptance , but it also serves as a beacon of hope and motivation for those who still feel marginalized by society. Stonewall Columbus, and Pride celebrations everywhere capture the dedication and emotion of a community of people who contribute to the diversity and continued growth of our socie...
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