PRIDE GUIDE 2003

GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE B-15

The Midwest celebrates at Columbus Pride Holiday

by Patrick Gallaway

Columbus As the central Ohio community continues to ride the wave of Pride from the record-setting event in 2002, plans are well under way for Pride Holiday 2003:

The largest Pride event in the Midwest grew even larger last year when a policeestimated 42,000 people joined in the events of the 21st Pride celebration in central Ohio.

This Stonewall Columbus-sponsored event is planned annually by a volunteer committee and staff. The expected attendance for Pride Holiday 2003 is 60,000. Attendance at this celebration of diversity and community spirit has doubled since 2001. Pride Holiday in Columbus attracts an incredibly diverse audience from a six-state region, including Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan and, of course, Ohio.

Pride Holiday 2003, titled "Columbus: Where the Midwest Celebrates Pride," has grown to be a week-long celebration highlighting the best that Columbus has to offer the GLBT community. Some key events are: Thursday, June 26

An Exhibit of Pride, featuring a juried mixed-media art show of local GLBT artists at Club 202, 202 East Long Street, downtown Columbus.

Friday, June 27

"Rockin' in the Streets," featuring the best in local female rockers and national artists to be announced soon. Further details will be available at www.columbuspride.org. Axis Nightclub (outdoor event) 6 pm, 775 N. High St.

Saturday, June 28

The Ecumenical Service, a celebration of faith and love prior to the parade and festival, 10 am, First Congregational United Church of Christ, 444 E. Broad St.

ERIC RESNICK

Tamayla Turner and Vickie Guthrie, right, are part of the 2002 parade's "Dykes on Bikes” security force.

The Main Event: the Pride Parade originating from Goodale Park, step-off at 1 pm, corner of Dennison and Buttles Avenues, with the Pride Festival at Bicentennial Park at the end of the parade route from 2 pm until 6 pm

"Dancing in the Streets," featuring dance music and national artists to be announced soon. Further details at www.columbus pride.org. Axis Nightclub, outdoor event, 6 pm, 775 N. High St.

Sunday, June 29

Pride Brunch at the Crowne Plaza, 11:30 am, $35 tickets, 33 E. Nationwide Blvd.

Bat 'n' Rouge, drag softball at its best, 3 pm, $7 at the gate, the Africentric School

Field, corner of Grant and Livingston Avenues.

The week-long celebration will also feature educational programs, a political action day, a fashion show benefit, a float-building workshop for parade participants and health and wellness programs for the community.

Pride Holiday 2003, the main event is Saturday, June 28, with the annual parade and festival. Making its return to kick off the Pride March will be a rally at the parade stepoff at Goodale Park.

The rally will begin at noon and parade step-off immediately following at 1 pm. The parade will wind through downtown and end at Bicentennial park, where the Pride Festival will pick up full steam at 2 pm. The event

features a street fair featuring more than 100 exhibitors, vendors and food service, offering some of Columbus' finest foods and crafts.

The main stage of entertainment at the festival will feature local and national acts with the main attraction, June and Bonnie Pointer, formally of the Pointer Sisters. A second stage also continues the local flavor and some of the finest drag acts in the region. Other performers who will be lighting up the stages include slam poet Alix Olson, Men of Rainbow, Ann Lincoln, the Columbus Stompers, Columbus Gay Men's Chorus, Habeeba's Dance of the Arts, Virginia West and the Capital City Marching Band. Bringing a call to love and unity at the end of the festival is the mass commitment ceremony, performed by Rev. Rickie Marecek. In 2002, Rev. Marecek performed a union ceremony for more than 60 couples, sending a strong statement that GLBT relationships are valid and visible.

Again in 2003, we continue the tradition of the "Rainbow Banners" proclaiming the event on downtown Columbus streets, and past the Ohio Statehouse. With your support, Stonewall Columbus will continue this tradition in 2003 adding greater visibility and community pride throughout the month of June.

The Family Area will be further enhanced this year featuring entertainment and activities for children and parents. Parents expressed the joy of being able to bring their children and having a safe, shaded space for them to run around and play.

For additional information on sponsorship, support for the Pride Banners or anything associated with Pride 2003, please contact Stonewall Columbus at 614299-7764. Save the date and show your Pride in Columbus and beyond.

Patrick Gallaway is the development director of Stonewall Columbus.

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