Pride Month: Students Feel Pride on Campus Throughout the Year

By Tyler Sharrock ’28

Most Otterbein University students may be on summer break, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t celebrating Pride Month. Many members of the Otterbein community are reflecting on the importance of celebrating diversity and creating spaces where everyone feels welcome.

For Jaylyn Stillwell, a current Otterbein student, Pride Month serves as an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the many identities and experiences that make up communities both on campus and beyond.

“In my opinion, it is important to celebrate Pride Month because, like all cultures in the United States, it has a large impact on all of us somehow,” Stillwell said. “It is especially important because it is a marginalized community that has been through countless hardships, making it important that we spread awareness, share information, and be openly inviting to this community.”

Stillwell attended the Westerville Pride Festival in Uptown Westerville on June 6, 2026, with a group organized by Otterbein’s Center for Student Engagement. Rain cut the festivities short, but the group still had a good time.

“I see Pride Month as a way to celebrate life and have pride in who you are without any apology,” Stillwell said.

Stillwell said that kind of community exists on campus throughout the year, too. Otterbein provides support and resources for LGBTQ+ students through campus organizations and initiatives. Groups such as FreeZone and URGE help foster community and provide services for students, while the university continues to promote an environment that welcomes people from all backgrounds.

“There are several different aspects of Otterbein that make it a welcoming place for LGBTQ+ students and community members,” Stillwell said. “They range from the awesome and supportive staff to the wide range of clubs and organizations, and even to the students who walk the campus. In almost every aspect, diversity is celebrated and more than welcome.”

Those who are on campus can stop at the Office of Social Justice and Advocacy through the end of June for Pride memorabilia and grab-and-go items, as well as a calendar of central Ohio Pride Month events.