Come Celebrate GLBT History

Three panel discussions and a video night examining GLBT history in Central Ohio are planned as a part of the Stonewall Columbus Pride Celebration during June 2007. The panel discussions will feature a variety of GLBT community members and leaders and will offer a broad perspective to begin telling the story of our community. One person will moderate each panel and ask panel members questions. Audience members will also be invited to participate and ask questions. The events are as follows:

June 6, 2007
Show and Tell
A discussion in which panel members and audience members will share their own personal items to tell part of the story of the Central Ohio Lesbian community. These items can be anything — such as photos, videos, newspapers, documents, clothing, etc.

Debra Moddelmog, panel member and moderator
Heather Mitchell, panel member
Suzie Simpson, panel member
Jan Brittan, panel member

June 13, 2007
In the Life: Black and Gay Back in the Day
A panel discussion on the African American GLBT experience in Ohio with a historical focus on coming out, meeting other GLBT people, relationships, religion and family.

Wanda Ellis, panel member and moderator
Chynia Dickerson, panel member
Sile Singleton, panel member
Kevon Wilds, panel member
Kathy Wilson, panel member

June 20, 2007
Cruising: Male Dating and Sex Before AIDS and the Internet
This panel discussion will focus on the different ways gay men met each other, communicated, dated and engaged in relationships during more discreet, closeted and homophobic times.

Rob Berger, moderator
Russ Goodwin, panel member
Douglas Whaley, panel member
Jerry Gordon, panel member

June 27, 2007
GLBT History Video Night
This event will feature three videos: a movie underwritten by Stonewall Columbus that tells the story of when Columbus City Council agreed to adopt GLBT-friendly legislation in the early 1980’s and then backed out after religious zealots protested, the first Pride Parade in 1982 and selections from the public access TV show that Stonewall Columbus hosted in the 1980’s.

All four events will be held at Stonewall Columbus, 1160 N. High Street in the Short North and will begin at 7 p.m. Due to the overwhelming attendance last year, these events will be held on the second floor of the Stonewall Columbus Center on High to allow for more room for audience members. If you need assistance or are unable to climb a flight of stairs, please contact Stonewall Columbus so that special accommodations can be arranged to facilitate your attendance.

These events are sponsored by Stonewall Columbus, the Ohio Historical Society, the Gay Ohio History Initiative and Our Stories: A Developing Record of Gender Identity, Sexual Orientation and Alliance at The Ohio State University.