Columbus City Council President Shannon Hardin announced the formation of a new LGBTQ+ Affairs Commission at a press conference on Friday.
Hardin made the announcement alongside other area LGBTQ+ elected officials and activists, including Ohio Senate Minority Leader Nickie J. Antonio, President and CEO of the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund Evan Low, President and CEO of Equality Ohio Dwayne Steward, and Executive Director of Stonewall Columbus Densil Porteous.
The permanent commission will advise Columbus City Council and the mayor's office on policies, programming, and outreach, and it will monitor local and federal legislation that would affect LGBTQ+ citizens. The commission will also work on a strategic plan to determine its long-term priorities and will work to build allyship in the community.
The commission will have 13 members, with six people appointed by the Columbus City Council, another six appointed by Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther's Office and one jointly appointed chairperson. The members will serve staggered three-year terms and meet quarterly.
Hardin said the commission will, "represent the full diversity of Columbus across race, age, gender identity, geography and lived experience."
In his announcement, Hardin advocated for the protection of LGBTQ+ rights amid a wave of legislation that he said has targeted LGBTQ+ people.
鈥淚f statehouses and Congress aren鈥檛 able to lead with love, then here in Columbus we will,鈥� he said.
Hardin also mentioned the need for permanent structural inclusion, especially because Columbus is a fast-growing city.
鈥淲e want to send a clear message that Columbus is, and will remain, a city that protects our rights and uplifts the LGBTQ+ community, our voices, that we care and that we protect all residents," Hardin said.
The announcement comes one day before the city's annual Stonewall Columbus Pride March.
