2023 Stonewall Columbus Pride March Registration

The first Columbus PRIDE march in 1981 was just around 200 people; today the Stonewall Columbus Pride Festival and March welcome over 700,000 visitors to Columbus and the Central Ohio region. For 42 years Stonewall Columbus has served the Central Ohio community working to uplift LGBTQIA+ identities. Stonewall’s annual PRIDE Festival and March serve as the organization’s largest annual fundraiser that secures the needed funds to support Stonewall’s community programs and annual operations.

All 2023 PRIDE 365 Sponsors will complete a separate march registration which will be sent directly to you. Do NOT complete this form if you are a 2023 Pride 365 Sponsor.

 

 

As we prepare to come back for the second year of an in-person March we ask our community to center engagement on the people–our community of queer identities that continue to be marginalized, dehumanized, and criminalized. We’re encouraging our community and our partners to come with their bodies–to return Pride to the people. Consider increasing the size of your walking contingent–while alternately investing the funds you would have used to create a float into an LGBTQ+ serving organization.

 

June 28, 1969 marked the beginning of the Stonewall Uprising, a series of events between police and LGBTQ+ protesters which stretched over six days. While the Stonewall Inn and Uprising became well known due to the media coverage and the subsequent annual Pride traditions, it was simply the fulcrum upon which years of LGBTQ+ activism shifted.

 

Historians have noted that the shift in activism was a shift primarily for white cisgender people, as people of Color and gender non-conforming people never truly had the benefit of concealing their marginalized identities.

 

We stand ever firmly in line with the BIPoC members of our community, we stand shoulder to shoulder with our transgender community members, of all ages, we stand at the ready to uplift and make space for ALL members of our LGBTQ+ community and all of our communities that demand inclusion, full enfranchisement, and equality before the law.

The Stonewall Columbus 2023 Pride March will be held on Saturday, June 17th and step-off will be at 10:30 AM. 

 

As a permitted event, all participants in the Stonewall Columbus Pride March MUST be a part of a registered group. We cannot allow people to simply drop in and registrations WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED the day of the March. To participate in the Stonewall Columbus Pride March, you must either form your own registered group or join an existing group. 

 

All 2023 PRIDE 365 Sponsors will complete a separate march registration which will be sent directly to you. Do not complete this form if you are a 2023 Pride 365 Sponsor.

 

YOUR GROUP MUST COMPLY WITH ALL INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN BY THE STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS OF STONEWALL COLUMBUS PRIDE.

 

Inclusion Policy

Vendors must support Stonewall Columbus’ vision of an inclusive community where all of us thrive. This is NOT just on the days of the event, but every day. Any organization registered as a vendor that is found in violation of this policy in any way will be disqualified from participation in PRIDE events.

 

March Ambassador Trainings

March Ambassadors play a key role in the success of the Pride March as leaders of their group. They are the official liaisons between Stonewall Columbus Pride and your group. They serve as the point of contact in case of emergency and are tasked with making sure everyone in their group adheres to the March rules. Every group MUST be accompanied by at least one March ambassador. Groups with more than 40 marchers (walkers) and/or multiple vehicles require additional Ambassadors. The correct number of Ambassadors required for your entry will appear in your registration form based on your registration selections. Groups with over 40 marchers must have two (2) Ambassadors. For each additional one hundred marchers after forty, you need to have an additional March Ambassador (e.g., 140 marchers = 3 March Ambassadors; 240 marchers = 4; etc.)

All groups must be registered with Stonewall Columbus to enter the March. March registration applications will not be accepted after May 1. Deadline is subject to change due to capacity of participants registered. Registration fees for March “No Shows” on the day of the event will not be refunded. March Ambassadors are required to attend ONE of the available trainings. Trainings will be held on May 21st and May 25th and June 8th. There will be in-person and virtual training options available, all training schedule information is available on stonewallcolumbus.org/pride-march-registration. Registration links are BELOW. Please register for one of the options.

 

Ambassador registration can be found at these links! 

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/629472799087

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/629479789997

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/639372579597

Decorations

All vehicles MUST be decorated and must make a positive statement appropriate to the day’s event. Creative costuming and decorations are strongly encouraged. Stonewall Columbus prohibits the display of logos, slogans, trademarks of any business other than the business listed on your application and Stonewall preapproved logos.

Sound

Any walking group that intends to use any sound amplification device (e.g., speakers, bullhorns, car radios, microphones, etc.) or play live music (e.g., marching bands) must notify Stonewall Columbus on the application. It is our goal to spread these groups throughout the March to decrease the probability of having competing sound.

 

Movement & Performance

To avoid the creation of gaps, groups are expected to be always moving forward along the route unless stopped by a March volunteer or the Columbus Police Department (CPD). If your group will be performing choreographed maneuvers, please plan to incorporate as much forward movement into the routine as possible. Please notify the March Coordinator if your group intends to stop at any point during the route. Please pay attention to instructions from March volunteers about moving along and closing any gaps.

 

Live animals

Stonewall Columbus does not permit live animals in the March, walking or riding. The March is typically long, hot, and loud which can easily exhaust and frighten pets. For their comfort and the safety of the March, please leave your animals at home.

 

Hold Harmless/Indemnity

All participants are responsible for all acts and/or omissions on their part, or on the part of their agents, volunteers and/or employees that may result in injury or damage to themselves, their agents, employees, or to third parties. Applicant agrees to assume, indemnify and save harmless Stonewall Columbus and its agents, officers, employees, and volunteers from and against all claims, liability, costs and expense for any and all loss, damage or destruction of property (including that of the Stonewall Columbus, the undersigned and third persons), and for any and all injury, death or their casualty of persons (including employees and customers of the undersigned and third persons), resulting directly or indirectly from the undersigned's participation in the march and festival.

 

Accessibility

Stonewall Columbus is for everyone, including individuals with disabilities. If you have questions about accessibility or require an accommodation to fully engage with Stonewall Columbus programs and events, please contact our Accessibility Committee at prideaccessibility@stonewallcolumbus.org. As some accommodations take time to provide, please contact us as soon as possible to discuss your access needs and plans.