Columbus Pride isn't just the last weekend in June

by Anthony Glassman

Columbus-The 25th annual Stonewall Columbus Pride Holiday does not begin and end with the parade and festival on June 24. In fact, the entire month is so filled with Pride, it almost appears that June is getting arrogant!

The festivities kick off with the 250th Short North Gallery Hop on June 3. The monthly celebration of art and culture features an information table with fun Pride merchandise outside Planet Smoothie, 765 North High Street, and a Pride Gear location at the

music stage at Vic-

torian

Gate,

663 North High Street.

Stonewall Columbus partners with the Tobias Project to bring out "Voices of Color: A Celebration of Diversity" at Wall Street Nightclub at 6 pm on June 10. The event is free and presents another opportunity to embrace the creativity of LGBT and allied people of color.

The following day, Stonewall

Columbus' car show returns to Goodale Park. The Cruise-In

begins at 1 pm and runs until 4 pm. Those interested in participating should contact D.J. Coon at 614-297-8600 ext. 212 or djcoon@dooleyco.com.

Also returning now for its third year is the fun and fantastic 5K Run for Pride. Of course, participants don't have to run; they can walk, they can stroll, they can jog, they can roll. The 10 am event will be held in Goodale Park, and participants can register at www.premier races.com. All registered participants get a "goodie bag" and a T-shirt.

Another returning event is the Pride Ride Poker Run beginning at 11 am on June 17 at Club Diversity, 863 South High Street. There will be a veritable cornucopia of door prizes and a cookout following the action. It's $20 for divers and $15 for riders.

An Exhibit of Pride, showcasing LGBT artisans, will be held at Garfield Place, 36 South Garfield Avenue, on June 22. There will be a $25 champagne reception at 5 pm followed by a $5 public viewing at 8 pm. Pride Weekend will be musical indeed, kicked off by the sixth annual Rockin' in the

Streets, benefiting Stonewall Columbus and Girlz Rhythm 'n' Rock Camp. It's $10 to get in the gates, which open at 6 pm, and the evening will feature stilt walkers, belly dancers, a chocolate fountain and more. Headlining the festivities will be performers like Ember Swift, Sister Funk, the Katie Reider Band, the Katie Todd Band, Donna Mogavero and "got kings."

Rockin' in the Streets is held at Union

Katie Reider

Station Video Café, 630 North High Street, on June 23, and more information is available

at www.rockinginthestreets.com.

The following day, those who still have the energy to move after the Pride Holiday Parade and Festival can head over to Dancin' in the Streets at Union Station, from sunset to 11 pm. Union Station is donating a portion of the proceeds to Stonewall Columbus, so come out and see headliner Inaya Day.

Find out more at www.columbus nightlife.com.

The month winds up with National HIV Testing Day, because nothing expresses Pride like taking care of yourself.

Stonewall Columbus and the Columbus AIDS Taskforce will host HIV testing at the homestead, 1160 North High Street from 1 pm to 7 pm, using testing methods that return results in about half an hour.

For more information about Stonewall Columbus' 25th annual Pride Holiday, call Dean Hindenlang, Pride coordinator, at 614930-2262 or dhindenlang@stonewall columbus.org.

Pride Guide 2006 GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE

18th Annual !!

G.I.F.T.

Cruise

$.S. G.L.F.T.

Saturday

June 10

North Coast Harbor, East 9th Street

3 Levels of FUN!

Live Entertainment, DJ & Dancing, Mix & Mingle

Boarding time 7:00 p.m. (Rain or Shine) Cruise leaves at 7:30 p.m. sharp! Returns at 10:00 p.m.

Müller

Tickets are $20 and are on sale at various Cleveland / Akron area establishments and at the dock prior to the cruise. $1 per ticket donated to the LGBT Center