Gay columbus ohio

Curious Cbus: Why Does Columbus Own So Many LGBTQ People?

Megan Bursey noticed something distinct about Columbus when she visited her girlfriend last December.

“There were just identity festival flags everywhere and 'Make America Queer Again’ flags," Bursey says. "I was looking for a bicycle and all the bike stores had flags everywhere and it was really nice to see that. People were very openly gay, which was very comforting, too.”

The experience spurred her to ask WOSU's Curious Cbus undertaking, “Why is there such a enormous LGBTQ population in Columbus?”

Data backs up Megan’s instinct. A 2015 Gallup poll place Columbus in the top 15 of the nation’s 50 largest metro areas with 4.3 percent of its population detecting as lesbian, same-sex attracted, bisexual or gender diverse. That's a larger percentage than Recent York City and Washington, D.C., permit alone fellow Midwest cities like Indianapolis (4.2 percent), Cleveland (3.7), Cincinnati (3.2) and Pittsburgh (3.0). 

In 2010, the Gay/Lesbian Index listed Columbus as one of the superior 20 “gayest” cities in America. 

Those designations may be relatively new, but Julia Applegate from the Institute For LGBTQ Health Equity at E

Five popular LGBTQ bars and clubs in Columbus everyone can enjoy


Columbus is home to a number of LGBTQ businesses, including several gay and lesbian bars and clubs.

Columbus has lost a scant LGBTQ-friendly bars over the years. At their peak, LGBTQ bars and clubs were a safe cosmos for these communities to sense very welcome, as opposed to less accepting bars. But whether due to cultural shifts or increased inclusivity and acceptance at nearly any bar or club, there is a downward trend in the number of these spaces nationally. LGBTQ bars have declined 36.6% from 2007 to 2019, according to research by Greggor Mattson, associate professor of sociology at Oberlin College.

In a 2016 report by the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce, the chamber found that LGBTQ businesses have contributed approximately $1.7 trillion to the economy, are open an average of 12 years, and have created more than 33,000 jobs. These spaces make a significant contribution to the economy and hopefully, with the support of the larger community, be around for many more years to come.

Here's a look at five accepted LGBTQ bars everyone can enjoy.

Slammers

Lesbian bar

Uncover the Pride and Pulse of Gay Columbus

Columbus is a welcoming municipality for all, celebrating its inclusivity and diversity year-round. Since 2013, the metropolis has scored 100 on the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index annually, which measures how inclusive municipal laws, policies and services are for Homosexual people who stay and work there. National outlets appreciate Thrillist have referred to Columbus as a "queer oasis" and a city that "shows its Lgbtq+ fest 365 days of the year". Link us in sustain of our Homosexual community all year long by shopping local at our LGBTQ+-owned businesses.

Read on for more LGBTQ+ things to do in Columbus.


 

 


Your ultimate commute guide to the city’s LGBTQ+ steamy spots. Whether you're visiting for Self-acceptance or planning a trip any second of year, OUT in Columbus is your go-to resource for exploring the vibrant LGBTQ+ scene that makes our city shine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finding Your Circle: Where to Make Friends in Columbus’ LGBTQ+ Scene

Real talk: making friends as an grown-up is so unnecessarily complex. Especially when you’re recent to a city and don’t know many people, or even if you’ve been in town a while but have recently come out and are specifically looking for friends who get you. 

I notice you—I moved to Columbus in 2015 and was pretty lonely the first year or so until I started finding my people, including my lgbtq+ friends/chosen family. Fortunately, the city’s LGBTQIA+ population has only continued to mature, so there are more opportunities to make friends than ever. While this isn’t a comprehensive list by any means, here are some hangout spots, activities, and social groups to get you plugged in. 

 

Credit Pride Gamers of Columbus Facebook.

 

For Tabletop Gamers: Pride Gamers of Columbus

You down with TTRPG? (Yeah, you know me!) Okay, so you’re probably on the elder side of Millennial if you earn that song reference, but no matter—Pride Gamers of Columbus is the flawless spot for queer tabletop gamers of all ages. The group typically meets twice a month f