The Shellabarger Illuminator Award recognizes an individual within the Columbus community who has demonstrated outstanding initiative to promote LGBTQ+ rights and, in doing so, has created a more inclusive Columbus. Almost every LGBTQ+ organization in Columbus has been touched in some way by longtime Columbus
resident and activist Steve Shellabarger. Steve 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.
Past recipients:
2016: Steve Shellabarger
2017: Linda Schuler and Gloria McCauley
2018: John Sherman Lathram-Brungs and Scott Schopper
2019: Nina West/Andrew Levitt
2020: Letha Pugh
2021: Erin Upchurch
2022: Siobhan Boyd-Nelson
A nominee for the 2023 award must live in Central Ohio and must not have previously received the Shellabarger Illuminator Award. Submit a nomination using the form
below. All fields are required.
*The deadline to file a nomination is May 22 at 5 p.m.