On Monday, June 1, The City of Columbus will kick off Pride Month with the Shellabarger Illuminator Award Ceremony and City Hall Illumination. The Shellabarger Award, named for activist Steve Shellabarger, recognizes an individual within the Columbus Community who has demonstrated outstanding leadership in promoting LGBTQ+ rights to create a more inclusive city.
Almost every LGBTQ+ organization in Columbus has been touched in some way by Shellabarger. He was integral to starting the local chapter of the Human Rights Campaign and has shared his unending energy, strong passion for justice and gracious leadership with the Columbus AIDS Task Force (now Equitas Health), and Stonewall Columbus.
The city is now accepting nominations for 2026. You can submit yours in the form below. The deadline for submitting a nomination is Friday, May 13, at 5 p.m.
Past recipients:
Click here to view form.