In the heart of Columbus, parents, teenagers and allies alike walked beneath rainbow banners on Saturday Sept 6, filling Mill Race Park. The Columbus Pride Festival began as a high school Senior Project in 2018, but has blossomed into a thriving non-profit with a focus on uniting Columbus as one community.

Started by Erin Bailey (CSA graduate ‘18), her idea for a Pride parade was to show the inclusive community in Columbus.

Since the introduction of the parade, over 2,000 people attend annually with upwards of 100 vendors.

First Presbyterian Church participates in the  Columbus celebration, and they were vendors at Pride this year. Jen Riddle, the Director of Children, Youth, and Young Adult Ministries helped out with the process, and shared her thoughts on the importance of Pride.

“Teens often struggle with feelings of inadequacy or doubts about their value,” Riddle said, “Pride is a way for me as a Youth Director to outwardly celebrate them and who they are, even if others in our community or in their families don’t support them.”

Riddle  explained that members of her congregation, especially young adults, help prepare and plan the Teen Tent’s activities, while she assists in organizing and staffing the space. For her, the event goes beyond just celebration.

“Pride is a chance to celebrate the beauty of those differences,” Riddle said.

She added that while Pride alone can’t erase exclusion, it can help set forth positive change.

“I don’t think it’s a magic wand to create inclusivity here, but hopefully the opportunity for participation and the symbolism of city support will make Columbus a more inclusive place in the long run.”

For the many local youth of Columbus, support can make a huge difference. Senior Lydia Kushman has been to the parade in previous years, and described the event as a place of freedom and affirmation.

“My favorite part is getting to hang out with my closest friends,” Kushman said.