GLAAD and George Takei, iconic actor and LGBT advocate, were present for the most successful Columbus Pride event to occur yet to date. We were proud to join more than 450,000 LGBT people and their allies at the Ohio Pride march and festival. Many people stopped to visit GLAAD board member Lana Moore at our table at the Pride Festival to learn about our work elevating the voices of LGBT people in the media.
George Takei led Saturday's parade as Grand Marshal, and gave a heartfelt speech during the Columbus Pride Brunch the next day reflecting on the significance of the event for Columbus. In 2012 Takei marched with GLAAD in the NYC Pride Parade, wearing a Boy Scouts uniform to show his support for an end to the Boy Scouts' discriminatory practice that banned openly gay scouts from membership (a ban that was lifted last year). In addition, at GLAAD's 25th annual Media Awards in New York, Takei was this year's recipient of the Vito Russo Award, which is presented to an openly lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender media professional who has made a significant difference in promoting equality.
During his speech at the Columbus Pride Brunch, Takei recalled the overwhelming reaction he had when seeing all of the people filling up the sidewalks and the streets during the parade, saying (to the crowd's amusement), "I saw men holding another man's hand, I saw women holding another woman's hand, I even saw a man holding a woman's hand!"
Check out these photos of GLAAD at Columbus Pride and watch Takei's full speech!
Next stop: New York City. Click here to find out how you can join GLAAD this Sunday at the New York City Pride Parade.