Official Sponsors of Columbus Ga Pride Festival 2026

2026 Columbus GA LGBTQ Pride Festival – 13th Annual Official Sponsors

Friday, June 12th & Saturday, June 13th

The 13th Annual Columbus GA LGBTQ Pride Festival is, without question, a triumph born from grit, heart, and community. This year was an 11th‑hour victory — the kind that only happens when people refuse to give up. Nearly 80 sponsors stepped forward to ensure that Pride would not be silenced, canceled, or erased. They made sure that Columbus would once again have a place to gather, celebrate, and stand proudly in the light.

This festival took everything we had. While other cities can charge $10,000 for a single Pride vendor spot, we scrape together $150 and $250 sponsorships just to reach the $10,000 needed to make this event happen each year. We cut back where we had to, stretched every resource, and still made sure that our community had a festival to call its own. You may notice some of those cutbacks — but we hope you’ll understand why. We chose Pride over perfection, because having a festival at all mattered more than anything else.

And so, to every sponsor, vendor, food truck, nonprofit, faith community, candidate, business, and ally who stood with us — thank you. Your support is not just financial. It is a declaration that we will not be erased. We will not stand alone. We will not go backwards. In a world where hate still shows up in comments, calls, protests, and cruelty, you chose love, unity, and courage.

This year brought historic firsts and powerful partners:

• Keisha Lance Bottoms for Governor – the first gubernatorial candidate to sponsor Columbus Pride.

* Jon Ossoff for US Senate - the first United States Senator to sponsor Columbus Pride.

• Sherrie Aaron, District 3, the first openly LGBTQ elected official in Columbus, proudly sponsoring Pride.

• Rebecca Zajac, District 7, standing strong in her runoff year.

• Dr. Cathy Cook, At‑Large City Council candidate, joining as a sponsor.

• Georgia Equality, our Diamond Sponsor, whose steadfast support keeps Pride alive year after year.

• Attorney Gary Bruce, a longtime friend and advocate, continuing his generous support.

• Pat & Joey Walker, our Power Couple Award recipients and Gold Sponsors.

• Outgoing Mayor Skip Henderson and Councilor Walker Garrett, both longtime champions of Pride, delivering leadership, proclamations, and unwavering support.

• Faith partners like Hope United Methodist Church and New Covenant Church, who remind us that God’s love is for all people.

• Edward Jones Financial Investments — one of our last‑minute saviors this year, stepping up with a $1,000 sponsorship that helped ensure everything came together. Their generosity, partnership, and love arrived at exactly the moment we needed it most, and we are deeply grateful for their support and their belief in this festival.

These individuals and organizations stood with us when it mattered most. They stood against hate, against fear, and against those who work tirelessly to silence LGBTQ voices. They stood for love, equality, and the right of every person to live freely and authentically.

To our community — your courage inspires us. Many still struggle to step out of the shadows, to come out, to live openly. Until the day arrives when every person can say “I am what I am” without fear, we will continue to champion your rights, your existence, and your joy.

To the critics, the protesters, and the self‑appointed judges: we do not seek your approval. We simply ask that you let us live our lives in peace. If Pride offends you, stay home. We don’t disrupt your churches, your neighborhoods, or your celebrations. We simply ask for one weekend — Friday, June 12th and Saturday, June 13th — to celebrate who we are.

To everyone else: show up.

Show gratitude.

Show love.

Show these 80 sponsors that their courage matters.

Join us at Woodruff Riverfront Park for a Pride Festival built on resilience, unity, and love. There is still time to join as a vendor or sponsor — text PRIDE26 to 706‑580‑6239.

For 13 years, this festival has been a labor of love. And this year, an important announcement will be made — one guided by faith, purpose, and the belief that God calls each of us where we are needed most.

No matter who you are, no matter what you believe, we love you. We wish you peace, joy, and the freedom to find the person who makes your heart whole. Together, we can build a community rooted in compassion, not judgment — in unity, not division.

Pride lives on because we live on.

Pride stands because we stand together.

And we will never be erased.