COLUMBUS, Ohio – A man at the center of a Supreme Court battle over same-sex marriage will be in the spotlight this week as grand marshal of the Columbus Pride Festival parade.
Pride Week 2015, June 15-21, is in its 34th year and is billed as one of the premier gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, questioning, and allied – GLBTQA — events in the nation by organizers and supporters.
As many as 300,000 people are expected to attend activities, including the Pride Festival and Pride Parade featuring parade grand marshal Jim Obergefell, whose challenge to Ohio’s same-sex ban has been heard by the U.S. Supreme Court, which is expected to render a decision any day.
W. Goodale Street will be closed between N. High Street and Dennison Avenue and Park Street will be closed between W. Swan Street and Buttles Avenue for the Pride Festival from noon Thursday through about 11:00 p.m. on Saturday night.
W. Russell Street and W. Poplar Avenue will be closed between Park and High Streets from 9:00 a.m. on Friday through 11:00 p.m. on Saturday.
The Columbus Pride Parade will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday at Front Street and W. Broad Street and proceed along the following route:
Eastbound on W. Broad Street to High Street
Northbound on N. High Street to Buttles Avenue
Westbound on Buttles Avenue to disband at Dennison Avenue
Expect rolling closures along the parade route through about 1:30 p.m.
Columbus City Council president and Democratic mayoral candidate Andrew Ginther sponsored a resolution recognizing Stonewall Columbus and the organization’s advocacy on behalf of the gay and lesbian community.
“Pride Week has become one of the most important weekends of the year in Columbus because it unites our city as one loving, caring, and most important, inclusive community.” said Karla Rothan, executive director of Stonewall Columbus.
“While other communities and states are turning back the clock on equality, we are promoting inclusion,” Ginther said.
In a sunset ceremony, the lights of Columbus City Hall will display the colors of the rainbow and a street sign at the corner of Front and Broad Streets will be unveiled celebrating Pride Week.