Monday, June 2, 8pm, Columbus City Hall [Marconi Blvd. side of the building], 90 W. Broad St.

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

• 2023: Chris Cozad

• 2024: Stephen Snyder-Hill

LGBTQ Pride

Columbus City Council takes great pride in its history of developing and adopting progressive legislation that promotes equality, fairness, inclusiveness, acceptance, and progressive social action towards our LGBTQ+ communities.

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 residents and visitors who often find themselves subject to oppression and attack.

Hosted by Columbus City Council.