Posted by Karla Rothan

What a pivotal year 2007 was for Stonewall Columbus! After twenty six years SWC redefined its mission, purchased two buildings in the Short North and began its journey to build the first LGBTQIA community center in Central Ohio.

The Board of Trustees hired a permanent Executive Director in March 2007 after not having one in place since 2005. They branded the organization and named the community center, the Center on High. The organization ended 2007 with a balanced budget and projects the same for 2008.

Karla Rothan, the Executive Director of Stonewall Columbus received an appointment to Mayor Coleman’s 2012 Commission as one of the chairs of the Diversity Committee giving our community a voice at the table to set priorities for the Columbus Bicentennial Celebration.

She regularly speaks to high schools and community organizations. She sat on panels at WOSU, Owens Corning in Toledo, The Columbus Metropolitan Club and the Kirwin Institute for Diversity.

SWC staffs an intake and referral desk receiving over 3600 calls a year that contain a wide range of issues: coming out, transgender support, employment discrimination, depression and anxiety, and family/personal relationship.

In June, Stonewall Columbus produced the most successful Pride to date with an estimated 110,000 participants. Stonewall Columbus Pride is one of the few in the nation that continues to grow.

SWC created three new program initiatives: Health, Faith and Diversity. SWC conducts a free health clinic with skilled professionally offering services to the community twice a month.

The first floor of the center has been painted. One of the restrooms was made handicap accessible and remodeled with new flooring and fixtures.

For the first time the second floor of Stonewall was opened for community use. The organization renovated the second floor. SWC refurbished bathrooms and meeting rooms, and installed a new high efficiency furnace and
air. In addition, SWC created a multipurpose room, Studio One; which has benefited over 50 organizations and facilitated 26 programs. Forums were created for the entire community including: I’m Gay, Where’s God, The Health
Forum (Specifically Discussing LGBT Health), Meet the Candidate’s Night, and the GLBT History Panel. Fulfilling its commitment to the arts, Stonewall produced two short original LGBT plays and conducted readings of new work. The
center featured the work of visual artists as well.

The Stonewall Columbus website: www.stonewallcolumbus.org became a virtual community center. The new and improved site features online Lavender Listings opportunities, program information including Pride and a blog by the
Executive Director. The ED blog regularly features podcasts that discuss important LGBT issues with community leaders.

In addition to Outlook Weekly, Stonewall Columbus was featured in the following local and national publications: The Advocate, Curve Magazine, Columbus Monthly, The Dispatch, and Business First.

Looking Ahead to 2008

Programs and Events:

Health and Wellness Clinic Expanded to address Anxiety and Depression: Forum TBA

Outlook Weekly Network Columbus Presentation: January 9

Pride Kickoff Party at Union Bar + Food: February 19

Transgender and Ally Symposium: March 7- 9

Student Art Installation / Collaboration with CCAD: April 5

Lavender Listings 2008 – 09: May 1

Pride Kickoff Celebration at the Center on High: June 7

Pride Festival and March: June 28

A Night OUT: VIVA Las Vegas: September 20

Glitter and Be Gay Winter Festival: December 6

Organizationally

Expand our Board of Trustees

Create a 3-year Strategic Plan that includes a Capital Campaign

Building Improvements:

Install new energy efficient handicap accessible doors in the High Street building

In the 4th Street Annex begin repairing the first floor to make it usable for community groups

Install some new windows in the 4^th Street Annex

Install new furnace and air in the 4^th Street Annex