COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The Stonewall Columbus Pride March returned on Saturday, welcoming thousands to downtown to parade in celebration of the LGBTQ+ community.
The streets of downtown Columbus were a sea of rainbow. The 43rd Pride in Columbus, the march remembers the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan, a series of conflicts between police and LGBTQ+ protesters that stretched over six days. The celebration also serves as Stonewall Columbus' largest fundraiser benefiting community programs and annual operations.
Stonewall's Pride march kicked at 10:45 a.m. on Saturday at Broad and High streets, moving north on High Street to Buttles Avenue and landing at Goodale Park. The city’s first Pride march happened in 1981 with just 200 people. Today, Stonewall Columbus Pride welcomes more than 700,000 visitors.
One of the highlights happened before the march even started. Two local artists tied the knot on the Columbus Museum of Art’s float.
“It’s really incredible that we are able to help facilitate and celebrate their union on today’s pride float,” said Lydia Simon, director marketing and communications at Columbus Museum of Art.
From there it was a miles long line of a tapestry of colors. The march featured local activists, nonprofits and businesses. “There’s so much love and I’m happy to be a part of this. I’m happy to be from this city,” said Jonathon Taylor with Valentine Floral.
Whether a member of the LGBTQ+ community or supporting those who are, people from all walks of life marched. “This is helping me feel more secure in who I am,” said pride rider Charlee Mullins. Mullins says she felt overwhelmed with support at her first pride march since coming out. “It’s beautiful to see that even if we feel like we are alone sometimes, there is so many people that are in the community,” said Mullins.
After the parade, the festival continued with food, more than 200 vendors, nonprofit organizations, community resources, and live entertainment across two stages with a DJ and dance pad. Saturday's entertainers include the Columbus Women's Chorus, and musicians Trey Pearson, Beane and Madison Rose.
