Wednesday, October 8, 12noon-1pm, National Veterans Memorial and Museum, 300 W. Broad St., this event will also be live-streamed on YouTube

Queer joy — the radical act of celebrating identity, love, and community — is powerful and political. In the face of anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and legislation, joy becomes both a lifeline and a form of resistance. For some, queer joy is possible through financial stability, civic recognition, the support of allies, or safe communities — yet others face isolation, poverty, or exclusion.

This forum brings together LGBTQ+ leaders, advocates, and civic changemakers to explore what defines queer joy, how queer joy is cultivated, who still struggles to access it, and what it will take to make joy — and justice — more widely available to LGBTQ+ community members in Columbus and beyond.

From city commissions to campaign trails, from mutual aid to municipal policy, we’ll examine how queer identity and leadership are reshaping public life in Central Ohio. Join us for a candid and uplifting conversation about power, protest, pride — and the joy of being seen, safe, and fully free.

Featuring Dr. Melanie Corn, President, The Columbus College of Art and Design; Karen Hewitt, Founder and Principal Consultant, K Hewitt Consulting and The Culture of You, and Co-Founder and COO, The Ohio REST Collective; Dr. Karen Williams, Founder and CEO, The International Institute of Humor and Healing Arts; with moderator Ronald Murray, CEO, PEACE OF MIND, Inc., and Community Engagement Liaison, Stonewall Columbus.

RSVP for this event by using this link.

Hosted by Columbus Metropolitan Club.