New chapter of Findlay Pride

FINDLAY — Kaleidoscope Youth Center (KYC) is ushering in a new chapter of the Findlay Pride Festival on September 13, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Riverside Park. The annual celebration builds upon more than 20 years of work by LGBTQ+ Spectrum of Findlay. Senior Associate Director of Programs and Operations Amanda Erickson said the event will feel similar to longtime attendees while also opening the door for new opportunities and collaborations. "We are keeping a lot of the festival the same from the past few years," Erickson said. "We have entertainment, a kid zone, a rainbow market and resource vendors. We are really going off of the event plans from previous years to continue into this year. It's not going to look incredibly different to folks who have been to Findlay Pride before." KYC, based in Columbus, is building off the efforts of LGBTQ+ Spectrum of Findlay who announced its official closing earlier this month. According to their website, KYC is the "largest and longest-standing organization in Ohio solely dedicated to serving and supporting LGBTQIA+ youth." Recently, the organization has expanded its efforts into northwest Ohio, establishing a satellite in Findlay. Erickson said KYC hopes to build on the legacy of Spectrum while deepening partnerships in the community. "Outreach is really important to us," Erickson said. "We want to make sure that we are creating solid partnerships with other community partners and agencies that are already in the area doing the work, making sure that we're not reinventing any wheels, but we're joining in partnership to provide the resources that folks need." Findlay Pride Festival 2025 is a "new beginning" for KYC, acting both as an introduction of the nonprofit and to map the way forward for LGBTQIA+ youth programming in the region. "Sometimes it takes a loud showing of support for folks to really feel like they're welcome in a space," Erickson said. "I think in some of the current atmosphere here, it's even more important for allies to show up and to show their support." Welcome to all ages, this year's Pride will feature local artists, drag queens, crafts, games and activities for kids as well as information and resource tables. Interested businesses and community groups can apply to be a part of the event until the end of August, with volunteer opportunities also available by emailing nw@kycohio.org. Beyond Findlay Pride Festival, KYC offers year-round programming such as a youth drop-in center in Columbus for ages 12-20, behavioral health services for ages 12 to 24, support for school-based Gender and Sexuality Awareness (GSAs) and advocacy initiatives across the state of Ohio. The nonprofit also offers a community survey online to gauge what programs youth in Northwest Ohio would like to see be brought into the area. Erickson said she hopes attendees leave the pride festival with a deeper sense of connection in the community. "I hope they get a sense of pride and belonging in their community," Erickson said. "I hope they make some connections with their neighbors, with their community members, with other agencies and I hope they are ready to have some more LGBTQIA+ youth programming in the area." Looking ahead, she hopes that Findlay can be a place where pride remains rooted in belonging and community. "Ten years from now, I hope that we are in a position to support LGBTQIA+ youth with programming that is beneficial to them, but I also hope that we have an environment that is affirming and safe for youth so they feel like KYC is not just their only platform," Erickson said.