LBGT Events

WQC has weekly Thursday night social nights at the Westerville Java Central. Come and grab a coffee and connect with the community: low stakes, chill environment, and tasty drinks. No registration is required; come as you are.

It’s time to take control of your mental health. How do you get rid of stress, anxiety and uncertainty? These emotions are buried deep in your reactive mind. Find out what the reactive mind is, and in the process find yourself. Have you ever suffered from a traumatic experience, a deep loss or been through a painful breakup? Has your ability to communicate suffered as a result? And after that, even though you "moved on" did you find that things were never quite the same? Have you ever looked at childhood photos, or reminisced your early life and wondered where that happiness and spark went? Are your emotions out of your own control? Have you ever felt, even if you aren’t aware of it, that possibly you are getting in your own way of your happiness and success? How does this affect your self-confidence? Find out what is at the root of all stress, anxiety, depression and self-doubt. Find out how and why you hold yourself back from achieving your goals and having the life you have dreamed of. As soon as you learn what is at the root of these unwanted conditions, you’ll see it is something you can DO something about. You will not be labeled or categorized at this MeetUp.

Our group focuses on referral marketing and business networking to help each other grow and thrive in the local business community. We have passed over $2.6 million dollars to each other! Bring your business cards, share your story and see your opportunity to gain new business. Our speaker this week is Jim Wilkin, Keller Williams. Jim has strong communication, negotiation, and market knowledge skills. He is organized, reliable, and dedicated to providing excellent customer service. Jim will let us know the current state of the market and what to expect in the coming months. All visitors are welcome. Any questions contact [pmarchio@farmersagent.com](mailto:pmarchio@farmersagent.com)

Whether you've never done improv before, or you've done it for so long you were quoted in *Truth in Comedy*, or anywhere in between, come join us! Swing by *Gresso's* for the **Columbus Improv Comedy Meetup**! The idea behind improvised comedy is to create entire scenes from scratch. A suggestion is taken from the audience and laughter is built on the spot. This can be done in game form, like *Whose Line Is It Anyway, Make Some Noise,* or *Wild 'n Out*; it can also be done in a longer way, to tell a complicated story, like *TJ & Dave*. Our meetup, which is central Ohio's longest running (and FREE!) weekly comedy event, brings the games for you to play in a safe, supportive, and compassionate environment. Afterward, many members will hang out in *Gresso's* itself and get to know each other. Not only is this a lot of fun, but you get to work on thinking faster on your feet, your public speaking, plus it's an excellent way to meet new people and build relationships that will last a lifetime, and you do that while laughing your butt off! Ask yourself if you want to join the **Columbus Improv Comedy Meetup**, and say "*Yes, And*" that you'll have a blast!

A time to make signs, pack swag bags, and have fun together in anticipation for the Pride festivities the week after.

Mental Health, how do you understand it? How can you improve it? How do you get rid of stress, anxiety and uncertainty? These emotions are buried deep in your reactive mind. Find out what the reactive mind is, and in the process find yourself. Have you ever suffered from a traumatic experience, a deep loss or been through a painful breakup? Has your ability to communicate suffered as a result? And after that, even though you "moved on" did you find that things were never quite the same? Have you ever looked at childhood photos, or reminisced your early life and wondered where that happiness and spark went? Are your emotions out of your own control? Have you ever felt, even if you aren’t aware of it, that possibly you are getting in your own way of your happiness and success? How does this affect your self-confidence? Find out what is at the root of all stress, anxiety, depression and self-doubt. Find out how and why you hold yourself back from achieving your goals and having the life you have dreamed of. As soon as you learn what is at the root of these unwanted conditions, you’ll see it is something you can DO something about. You will not be labeled or categorized at this MeetUp. This group is hosted by the Dianetics and Scientology Life Improvement Center of Central Ohio.

Private Group. Closed to the Public Knowing ourselves and understanding our abilities is the first step toward wielding our gifts with control and accuracy. In subsequent classes we will verify and hone our talents with activities and discussion. These are hands-on workshops and participation is expected. The goal of our series will be to develop expertise in areas of particular interest such as mediumship, channeling, divination, healing and, etc.. Our ultimate directions will be determined by class members as we evolve. I look forward to sharing and discovering with you. - Cynthia

Hey everyone! I am so excited to invite you to our next community gathering at **Two Dollar Radio Headquarters**. If you haven't heard yet, their new **Summer Menu** has officially dropped, and it is absolute "debauchery in food form". We’re heading to Parsons Ave to celebrate independent culture, play some games, and dive into some of the most creative plant-based comfort food in Columbus. Whether you're looking for a night of meaningful connection or just great vegan eats, this is the place to be. **When:** Saturday\, June 13th \| 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM **Where:** 1124 Parsons Ave, Columbus, OH 43206 *** **The Main Event** * **Play:** Bring a favorite game from home to share or dive into the ones available at the shop. * **Connect:** Meet new and old friends in a space that values independent culture and plant-based living. * **Support:** Help us champion a local, family-owned vegan business that doubles as a powerhouse indie book publisher. [[1](https://www.facebook.com/columbusveganevents/photos/join-columbus-vegan-meetup-for-a-game-night-at-two-dollar-radio-hqwhen-saturday-/824512820641009/)] *** **What’s on the Summer Menu?** While 2$R typically serves house-made sandwiches and vegan pastries, they are creating a special menu specifically for our event!. You can also grab a coffee, tea, or a drink from their full bar of cocktails and beer. [[1](https://www.facebook.com/columbusveganevents/photos/join-columbus-vegan-meetup-for-a-game-night-at-two-dollar-radio-hqwhen-saturday-/824512820641009/)] **New Summer Highlights Include:** * **Birria “Beef” Tacos**: A absolute must-try! Featuring birria soy “beef,” housemade chimichurri slaw, cashew crema, pickled onion, and roasted corn relish on corn tortillas. * **Buffalo Eggplant Pita**: Breaded eggplant tossed in smoky dojo hot sauce, topped with avocado, tomato, pickled onion, and cashew crema. * **Falafel Pitas & Bowls**: Housemade falafel served with chimichurri slaw, cashew crema, smashed cucumbers, and fresh greens. [[1](https://www.instagram.com/p/DZNfx9yjg9F/), [2](https://twodollarradiohq.com/weekly-food)] *** **Parking & Logistics** * **Street Parking:** Free public street parking is available on both sides of Parsons Avenue and surrounding residential streets. * **Lot Parking:** The Columbus Metropolitan Library lot (1113 Parsons Ave) is directly across the street. On Saturdays, it is typically available for guest use starting at 6:00 PM (after the library closes). * **Bike Parking:** For those cycling, there is a bike rack conveniently located at the corner of Cline and Parsons. [[1](https://www.facebook.com/columbusveganevents/photos/join-columbus-vegan-meetup-for-a-game-night-at-two-dollar-radio-hqwhen-saturday-/824512820641009/)] I’ve been vegan for five years now, and places like this make the journey so vibrant and easy. I can’t wait to catch up, play some games, and share an incredible meal with all of you. See you there! 🌯📖 ***

Let's stroll the artists' booths and enjoy some of the festival's opening day! The Columbus Art Festival features a wide and vibrant range of visual art from local and national exhibitors, plus, live music, and all kinds of food and refreshments, along the waterfront downtown. (The featured painting is by Columbus Art Festival exhibitor, Joe Engel - joe-engelart.com)

### **June Necromancer’s Awakening \| Free Undead Mini Event** Step into the grave this June with Necromancer’s Awakening at The Arcane Foundry. Join us for a paint and sip experience where you’ll receive a free undead miniature and explore the dark forces of necromancy in Warhammer Fantasy and The Old World. Whether you’re new to the hobby or a seasoned painter, this event invites you to raise something from the dead and make it your own. Learn techniques for painting bone, decay, ghostly effects, and weathered armor while diving into the lore and battlefield role of undead factions. From shambling skeletons to cursed revenants, you’ll bring a lifeless model to unholy existence. All supplies are provided, space is limited, and the dead are waiting to rise.

Come assist Van Buren Shelter (https://ymcacolumbus.org/locations/vanburen) staff in serving dinners and cleaning up on the 3rd Tuesday of each month. Dinner for the women is 5-6 pm and for the families is 6:15-7:15 pm. There is ample free parking available in the shelter's lot. The recommended area to park is in green in the image above. There will be a new entrance for the time being. We are asking all volunteers to enter through the Donation Dock door, the orange mark on the image above. This door is located between the Single Adults and Family Shelter. You will see 2 large garage doors with a large green trash compactor in the center. Please head to the closest garage door to the building wall, with a ramp leading up. There, you will see a door with a sign stating instructions on how to enter the building. Please ring the doorbell, and a staff member will come and escort you into the building. If a staff member takes longer than 5 minutes, please call the front desk at 614-689-2020. This is a new process for us, and we do not want to keep you waiting! We appreciate your patience as we navigate this temporary change. The shelter needs a volunteer count the day before the event so sign-up ends Monday at 4:50 PM. Afterwards some of us go to the Omnipresent Atheists Weekly Meetup in progress to have a bit to eat or drink (http://www.meetup.com/omnipresentatheists/). Volunteers must be 14 or older. Since we will be working around families, the YMCA does not permit volunteering by individuals with convictions for violent or sexual crimes. The YMCA reserves the right to run background checks on volunteers. For questions, comment on this page or contact: Andrew, awhit12@yahoo.com, (614)937-5802 (cell). Please let Andrew know if you volunteer anytime other than our COUNT events so that he can count your hours toward our service record.

**🌿 Reading Club: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid** Everyone is welcome to join us to open up a conversation around Taylor Jenkins Reid's remarkable The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo in an easy-going group where everyone contributes, and great discussion is always the main event. Sessions run as open conversation — with side conversations and digressions part of the experience, and the group's range of perspectives is what makes it work. Come however far through the book you are, and bring the lines that you think the group will find interesting, and bring your questions and observations — as the discussion works best when it is driven by what actually moved you. First time here is just as good as any other time to come — and you will find it easy to join the conversation at any point in the evening, bring the book and a willingness to talk, and the evening almost always ends with people wanting to continue. --- **The evening in brief:** 1. Arrive, grab a seat, and introduce yourself if you are new — no icebreakers, just conversation 2. Members share their takes and the discussion branches out from there 3. At some point toward the end the group votes on or suggests next month's read **Bring along:** - Notes from your reading however informal - The book — dog-eared pages and all - Curiosity and a willingness to hear other readings 💡 **Good to know:** bring the line that stayed with you longest after closing the book, as it gives you something to come back to when the conversation gets busy, and you will find that even a rough note is worth more than nothing. --- 🍂 There is always more in a book than one reader can find alone — come along and add your voice and the conversation does everything else. The discussion starts when you arrive. 🍂

# **Saturday, June 20, 2026** **Beginners’ Session 1:30 to 2:00 PM** **Dancing 2:00 to 4:30 PM** **Band: Gem City Revelers** **Caller: David Mould** **You are invited to join us for dinner at Olive and Lime (in the church’s back parking lot) after the dance.** **Location: First Unitarian Universalist Church, 93 W. Weisheimer Road, Columbus, OH 43214.** **Cost is $10 for adults, $5 ages 12-25.** **New to dancing? A beginners’ session, from 1:30 to 2:00 PM, will get you started. You will learn some basic figures that will be repeated in the afternoon’s dances. All dances will be taught and no partner is needed. Dancing is from 2:00 to 4:30 PM.** **Please bring your own refillable water bottle.** **All Soles Dance upcoming dance dates are, as follows:** **July 25, 2026–Summer Potluck and Dance** **No August Dance** **September 26, 2026** **October 17, 2026** **November 21, 2026** **December 19, 2026** **Visit our website at: https://firstuucolumbus.org/connection/all-soles/**

Join us for our June Book Club gathering where we will come together to discuss [The Queer Principles of Kit Webb](https://catsebastian.com/the-queer-principles-of-kit-webb/) by Cat Sebastian in a safe and welcoming environment. Make new friends who share your passion for books and connect with fellow LGBTQ book enthusiasts.

We will be marching again this summer at Pride. Come ready to show your Pride and stand-up for every human's right to love, respect, and family! * **Step-off:** 10:30AM * **Route:** High Street from the Capital to Goodale Park Update: We are meeting at Bob Leonhard's house. You can park your car there and we will carpool to the parade. This will eliminate you finding parking in the city and excessive walking. You SHOULD BE AT BOB'S HOUSE BY 8:45 a.m.! We will leave for the parade at 9:15 am sharp! Bob's address: 2858 Thorndale Avenue, Columbus, OH 43207 If you have questions, his number is 614-301-7436