ColGay Pride Director Delivers Fiery Speech at Columbus Pride Rally, Urges Unity and Resistance

As rainbow flags waved and voices rose in unity, ColGay Pride celebrated its 12th anniversary on Saturday with a fiery and emotional speech from its founder, Jeremy Scott Hobbs, calling on the LGBTQ+ community to stay resilient amid what he described as “a coordinated erasure of rights and identities.”

“We gather in the face of adversity, knowing our rights are under attack,” Hobbs said during the opening rally in Uptown Columbus. “But no pill, no treatment, no doctor's label can suppress the fire of truth.”

Hobbs recounted his personal story of being overmedicated as a queer youth to suppress his identity—an experience he likened to the current political landscape, which he warned is increasingly hostile toward LGBTQ+ individuals.

“They want to silence us, to make us feel like we are unnatural, sick, undeserving of basic rights,” Hobbs said. “But we will not go back.”

The speech was part of a daylong celebration that included performances, vendors, and a renewed focus on LGBTQ+ advocacy in Georgia, where recent political moves at the state and national level have alarmed activists. Hobbs specifically criticized efforts to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, as well as rollbacks on LGBTQ+ protections.

“We are being legislated out of existence,” Hobbs said. “And if we don’t fight back—united—we risk losing everything we’ve built.”

Many in attendance said Hobbs’ speech captured the urgency of the moment.

“He said what we’re all feeling,” said Javon Carter, a Columbus native attending Pride for the fifth time. “It’s not just about celebration anymore—it’s survival. And hearing his story reminded me how far we’ve come, and how hard we still have to fight.”

Others pointed to the power of community in the face of fear. Melissa Ramirez, who traveled from nearby Auburn, Alabama, said, “It’s easy to feel isolated in these times. But today reminded me that we’re not alone. We are strong together.”

Hobbs also recalled a tense moment in the city’s recent history: the backlash against ColGay Pride’s Drag Queen Story Time and the arrival of the Proud Boys, a far-right group. He praised local law enforcement and federal agencies for protecting participants and ensuring the event continued without conflict.

“When that horn blasted from the armored vehicle rolling down Broadway, it sent a message,” Hobbs said. “Not today. Not ever.”

Daniel Ruiz, a first-time attendee, called the memory “chilling but inspiring.” “I didn’t expect to hear about a tank at Pride,” he said. “But the way the community responded—with unity and strength—that’s powerful.”

Hobbs also turned his attention to national leadership, sharply criticizing former President Donald Trump and warning the crowd not to be lulled into apathy.

“If money is your only reason for standing behind him, then I’d rather be poor, hungry, and struggling than ever support a leader like him,” Hobbs declared.

The rally ended with a chant led by Hobbs that echoed through the streets:
“We will not be erased! We will not be silenced! We are resilient!”

Organizers say ColGay Pride 2025 drew record attendance despite recent political tensions, and hope the annual celebration will continue to serve not just as a moment of visibility—but a call to action.

Attendees said the call to action was a fitting conclusion to a day that balanced celebration with a renewed sense of purpose.

“Being woke is not the enemy,” Hobbs said. “Silence is.”

As the crowd dispersed, Andrea Holmes, a Columbus local, reflected on what the day meant to her and her daughter.

“I brought my daughter here so she could see what courage looks like,” Holmes said. “Because being proud of who you are—especially when the world tells you not to be—is the most radical thing you can do.”