Columbus Pride Submissions: Alaina Cherup

The LGBTQ+ community is strong, powerful, seen and heard here in Columbus. And 614 wanted to take the month of PRIDE and give the cover section over to our loud and proud LGBTQ+ Columbus crowd with their unedited copy, poems, art, photos, stories, and more about their experience here in the capital city. From love to heartbreak and everything in between, you get to hear directly from the people who make up this vibrant group about how they view the world and their place in it. Start flipping the pages to check out what the folks living happily and PRIDE-fully here in Central Ohio have to say. Happy PRIDE month, Columbus!

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Images by Alaina Cherup: lumacapaper.com, @lumacapaper

Holding Hands:
Feeling an overwhelming sense of hopelessness in light of the pandemic, systemic racism, and the uncertainty of leadership in our country last summer, I was able to find some solace in the form of making art that had purpose and power. My hope when creating this piece was to create a sense of unity & connection through self expression.

Self Portrait:
Last year was transformative for me in many ways. Accepting myself and my sexuality has taken me decades, and this is a self portrait I created last fall as I was coming to terms with these truths; with the help of my girlfriend.The most beautiful thing I’ve witnessed as a result of being able to be my authentic self and share it with the world: it allows others to feel brave enough to do the same.

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