Columbus, Ohio is one of the Midwest's most progressive cities when it comes to acceptance of gays and lesbians - it's a city with a lively, vibrant community and one of the most popular and successful Gay Pride festivals in the country, Columbus Pride. Traditionally held in late June, Columbus Pride was moved up by a week in 2009 and will take place over the weekend of June 19 through June 21. A nice aspect of this is that it no longer falls on the same weekend several major Gay Pride events around the country, including Chicago Gay Pride and New York City Gay Pride.
Book rooms and compare rates at hotels in Columbus during Gay Pride
Here's a preview of Columbus Gay Pride in 2009:
During the weeks leading up to Pride, you can attend a number of related events and activities, including a Dance of Pride at the famed Wall Street nightclub, Unity Picnic on June 7, the Fore! Pride Golf Classic on June 7, a 5K Run/Walk For Pride on June 13, a Pride Art Show, and several other gatherings. Check out the Pride Columbus events page for more details on these and other events.
The Columbus Pride Festival takes place on Friday, June 19, and Saturday, June 20, in the neighborhood that has the greatest number of gay-owned businesses, the Short North, at leafy Goodale Park.
The festival begins at 5 pm on Friday and includes performances by Melissa Ferrick, Trina Hamlin, Josh Zuckerman, and many others. This part of Columbus Pride used to be known as "Rockin' in the Streets" but is now part of the official festival. The festival hours on Saturday are 11 am until 10 pm, and a number of entertainers will be on hand, including headliner Kat DeLuna.
On Saturday, June 20, at 11:30 am, there's a massive Pride Rally held on the lawn of the Ohio Statehouse, at S. High St., between Broad and State Sts. Following the rally, the Columbus Gay Pride Parade leaves from the Statehouse lawn at 1 pm and proceeds up High Street to the festival grounds at Goodale Park.
The celebration winds down on Sunday, June 21, with a Pride Brunch at 11 am, held in the ballroom of the historic, and very gay-friendly, Westin Columbus Hotel, at 310 South High Street.
Of course, additionally, numerous gay bars as well as gay-popular restaurants, hotels, and shops have special events and parties throughout Gay Pride. Check local gay papers, such as Outlook for details. And be sure to check out the excellent GLBT Website produced by the Columbus Convention & Visitors Bureau.
