The City of Columbus has a proud tradition as an exemplar for inclusiveness, acceptance, and progressive social action. Home to one of the largest populations of residents identifying as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender, Columbus has long sought to protect the rights and secure the safety and well-being of those citizens who often find themselves subject to oppression and attack.
1974: Columbus City Council adopted an ordinance that, for
the first time, extended protections against discrimination in housing and
public accommodations based on sexual orientation.
1982: Stonewall Union – now known as Stonewall Columbus –
held the first Pride Parade in Columbus that was attended by approximately 850
people.
2008: Columbus City Council passes an ordinance to extend
civil rights protections to the new classes of age, disability, sex, gender
identity or expression, familial status and military status.
2012: In order for the City of Columbus to recognize
relationships of mutual love, care, support and commitment, it was necessary
for the government of the City of Columbus to enact new Section 229 of the
Columbus City Code to establish a City of Columbus Domestic Partnership
Registry.
2014: In a Citywide election, Columbus voters pass
recommended City Charter amendments prohibiting the city and its agents from
denying equal access to city services or equal opportunity in city employment
and promotion, or the benefits thereof, on the basis of race, sex, sexual
orientation, gender identification or expression, color, religion, ancestry,
national origin, age, disability, family or military status, or any other
status protected by federal, state or local law.
Columbus received a perfect score on the Human Rights
Campaign Foundation’s Municipal Equality Index in 2014, 2015 and 2016 for its
policies regarding the LGBTQ community.
March 2017: Columbus enacted new section 2331.10 of the
Columbus City Codes prohibiting the practice of conversion therapy or reparative
therapy on minors and prescribing penalties for violations of that section.
Today: With well over a ½ million participants, Columbus is
the proud host of the largest Pride Parade in the Midwest!