Allies and Equality
The theme of this year’s Pride Festival is “Allies and Equality” and in 2012 Stonewall Columbus is celebrating the Bicentennial of Columbus, Ohio by honoring Mayor Michael B. Coleman as our Pride grand marshal and true ally. Mayor Coleman has been our champion and he values the LGBT community. Under his guidance in 2011, the city extended workers’ health benefits to domestic partners. Below is a quote from a June 2011 article of 614 Magazine, “Why is Columbus so Gay?” Mayor Coleman was the first Mayor to attend a Pride Festival and March and this is what he had to say about his experience and our event:
“I view it as an opportunity to market to the rest of the country,” Mayor Coleman said. “This is an asset of our city. The GLBT community is a community that is very creative, a community that brings a lot of opportunity with it. Jobs, economic viability . . . it all adds value to the community in a big way. When I go out recruiting businesses, I say this is one of the reasons why they should relocate their business to Columbus.”
— Mayor Michael Coleman
Just Announced, Council President, Ginther to Join 2012 LGBT Allies
Additional Honored Allies
Peggy Anderson
Chief Operating Officer
AIDS Resource Center Ohio
Peggy Anderson has dedicated her life to standing up for and speaking out about 
what is right, fair and just for all. Peggy strongly believes that being a “straight ally” for LGBT equality isn’t about politics or politicians, republicans or democrats, radical activists or peace keeping pacifists. It is about creating and safeguarding a world where all people belong. Peggy, both personally and professionally, has been an outspoken advocate for LGBT equality in our homes, workplaces and communities. She proudly and openly considers LGBT relationships as just as valid and legitimate as her marriage to her husband Chris, whom she often refers to as her partner. Peggy Anderson is a brave and courageous woman who sees it as her personal responsibility to help lead the fight for LGBT equality and with she and others like her on our side, we shall overcome, one day.
Nominated by Emily Toney
Patrick McLoughlin
Senior Marketing Manager
AT&T
This is the first year that AT&T has sponsored our event and it would not have happened if it were not for Pat McCloughlin. Pat sees the value in the LGBT customer and he has educated his workplace on the impact that the LGBT consumers have on our economy. He has spent a lot of time trying to build relationships with LGBT marketing leaders to enhance the brand of AT&T within our LGBT community.
Nominated by Karla Rothan
Renie McVeety
Vice President, Strategy and Innovation Systems
Battelle
Renie stepped into the role of Executive Sponsor over three years ago when Battelle’s 
LGBT Employee Resource Group (Prism) was formed. She has tirelessly supported, advocated for and encouraged the group and Battelle’s LGBT staff since then. Renie has been a driving force behind many of the initiatives we have accomplished in the last three years and is always available to lend a hand, offer advice or serve as the conduit to Executive Management. Many, many thanks to Renie for all of her hard work and support!
Nominated by Gillian Hall
Aida Sabo
VP, Diversity & Inclusion
Cardinal Health
Aida is being nominated as an Ally for Pride because of her dedication and passion to diversity and inclusion. It’s not just her job, diversity and inclusion is what Aida stands for. Aida has tenaciously championed the idea of everyone being able to enjoy equal rights, and demonstrates the value of diversity in all aspects of her life. On behalf of the LGBT community, she is vocal and has stood shoulder-to-shoulder to rally in the fight for our basic rights. Most of all, she truly demonstrates what it means to be an inclusive leader in everything she does, and will be a strong representative on behalf of Cardinal Health and the LGBT community.
Nominated by Gregg McConnell
Anthony Anzic
Vice President
JP Morgan Chase
Tony joined the JPMorgan Chase PRIDE Ohio Leadership team in 2010 and 
has worked to consistently elevate the level of signature programming that is provided to the membership. Beyond programming Tony provides a pathway for allies to become active and engaged members in the community. Tony is a champion for JPMorgan Chase LGBT Ally community and we are honored to nominate him.
Nominated by Shawn Temper
Kim Carmine
Marketing Director
Columbus Distributing Co.
Kim Carmine has been a strong ally and partner in Pride since 1996. Over the years Bud Light has given thousands of dollars to support pride. For the past 16 years Kim Carmine has been there every step of the way going above and beyond to make sure our event experience was tremendously successful. We are grateful to her and celebrate her team spirit as we honor her as one of our significant community leaders and a staunch ally for the LGBT community.
Nominated by Karla Rothan
Traci Dunn
Inclusion/Talent Organizational Effectiveness Director
Huntington
Traci was hired by Huntington in January of 2011 be lead the bank’s inclusion strategy. 
In a very short time period she has made a big difference in moving Huntington forward. Traci proactively and supportively sought out a few “out” leaders within Huntington to ensure that an LGBTA Network Group would be launched as part of Huntington’s new formalization of Business Resource Groups. She was also instrumental in securing our re-commitment to Stonewall Columbus Pride.
Nominated by Matthew Hall
Candice Barnhardt
VP, Chief Diversity Officer, Office
of Diversity and Inclusion
Nationwide Insurance
Candice has been a strong supporter of equality for all associates. 
Through her efforts she has helped Nationwide with its vision to be a place where all voices are heard and valued. Nationwide’s Associate Resource Groups (ARGs) are an example of this vision. Though there was an informal LGBT group already established within Nationwide. Candice took the next step to help formalize it and form it into the PRIDEARG. This gave a much needed voice to the LGBT community. Nationwide associates now have everything from same-sex partner benefits, to benefit packages that cover transgender surgeries, to more LGBT inclusive Nationwide Products; the list goes on and on.
Nominated by Nationwide’s Pride ARG Board
Kirt Walker
President and COO
Nationwide Financial
For the past two years Kirt has been the executive sponsor for Nationwide’s PRIDE Associate Resource Group (ARG). Kirt has assisted by giving clear direction of how to proceed within the organization. Without this support and guidance, the Pride ARG would not be as strong as it is today. Due to Kirt’s unique position as President, he has been able to reach out to other executives, not only within Nationwide, but in other corporations, and show them that it is okay to be an ally of a LGBT group or individual and not worry about what anyone thinks. As Kirt once told the PRIDE ARG Board., “I’m helping (LGBT associates) because I believe it is the right thing to do.”
Nominated by Nationwide’s Pride ARG Board
Tom Krach
Managing Partner
New York Life
Since becoming Managing Partner of the Columbus General Office for New York Life, 
Tom Krach has taken a solid stand supporting his advisers and agents that are LGBT. He adamantly supports a harassment-free environment and equal opportunities for everyone. Tom has been a proponent in gaining Central Ohio’s LGBT recognition within New York Life, and has been a solid supporter of the company’s efforts to serve the financial needs of the LGBT community in Columbus and its surrounding areas.
Nominated by Joel Field
Susan Bottiggi
Market Executive, Wealth Management
PNC Bank
Sue has been supportive of the LGBT Community for years on behalf of PNC. She sponsored a seminar last year on Estate Planning for LGBT couples for attorneys. Sue was instrumental in leading PNC’s sponsorship of Gay Pride Weekend in 2011. She hosted a table at the brunch with clients and friends.
Beyond her work experiences, Sue has many personal relationships within the LBGT Community. She is a former trustee of the YWCA and currently serves on the YWCA Endowment Board.
Nominated by Patricia Cash
Barbara Sokol
In Memorium
Stonewall Columbus lost a champion ally last year. Barbara Sokol passed away on Friday, September 23rd. Many in our community will never be able to realize the impact that she has had on our lives. In June 2011, she was responsible for inviting and hosting two tables at our Pride Brunch. She filled those tables with community members and politicians that needed to hear the message of equality. They came to listen for one reason; Barbara asked them to join us. She has been in our corner fighting for equality for decades and has been a generous and fierce ally for our LGBT community.
Nominated by Michael Council