Pride is One of Our Biggest (and Most Fun) Events of the Year!
Yes, it’s about joy, glitter, and radical self-expression—but Pride is also one of our largest public events, and it takes a badass volunteer crew to bring it to life.
That’s where you come in.
To make a real impact for our LGBTQIA+ community in 2025, we’re building Special Events Volunteer Teams designed to match your vibe, your skills, and your hunger to create something meaningful and unforgettable.
💪 We need all hands on deck—and that means you. We need folks before, during, and after Pride. You can get involved behind the scenes or just for a few hours at the event. It’s totally up to you.
What’s the vibe going to be like this year?
📣 AP GOES TO STONEWALL PRIDE IN COLUMBUS AGAIN! ✨ You bring your energy—we’ll bring the party.
FAQ
Can I help before Pride, not just at the event?
I’ve already completed a volunteer application. Do I still need to submit a Pride application?
Can I volunteer only for Pride (June 13th and/or 14th), and not behind the scenes?
I’ve already attended a volunteer orientation, do I still need to do a Pride orientation?
What if I can’t make the orientation?
Can I sign up with a friend or partner?
Is there a minimum age to volunteer?
Do I need experience to volunteer?
Can I still join the Command Team after Pride?
Do you do background checks on volunteers?
Do I have to out myself to volunteer?
What if I’m shy, introverted, or disabled?
How long are shifts? Can I do more than one?
What safety protocols are in place during Pride?
How do I volunteer for the Pride Special Team?
Step 1
Get your accounts setup!
- Sign up for a free account on AutonomyProject.org.
- PS: We need to send you texts, remember to opt in!
- Then, join the AP Community Discord and take note of your Username. You’ll need it for the application!
- Already in the Discord and have your AP account? Cool, move to step 2!
Step 2
Put in the Pride Special Team application!
- Hit the link below to get the application page. It’s new!
- If you’ve filled out a volunteer app before, most of it will be pre-filled. Boom. Easy.
- Yes, it’s the same form every time. Yes, we know you’ve done it before. That’s how our system keeps track—just roll with it.
- We check apps every few days. No confirmation email—don’t panic.
- Want to double-check? Log in and look for “Pride Special Team” under Volunteer Opportunities. If it’s there, you’re in.
Step 3
Sign up for and attend one of the zoom orientations!
- Pick a time and hop on a Zoom. It’s chill, quick, and gets you in the loop.
- We’ll cover how the Pride Special Teams work, what help we need, and how we stay coordinated (Slack, Notion, etc.).
- First-timer? Stick around at the end—we’ll do your general volunteer orientation too.
- We’ve got roles for everybody: box lifters, art dreamers, spreadsheet nerds, glitter witches, and behind-the-scenes magic makers. We meet you where you’re at—access needs and abilities included.
- After orientation, you’ll pick your team and we’ll set you up for a quick team huddle to kick things off.
Save the Dates
Virtual Pride Orientation Dates
- Thursday May 8, 6-8 PM
- Friday May 16, 6-8 PM
- Saturday May 31, 12-2 PM
- Saturday June 7, 12-2 PM
To sign up for an orientation, Click Here
Pride Team Meetings After Orientation
All are in person listed on the site.
Pride Team Check in May 8, 2025 6:00 PM- Backdrop art installation day, May 13th 5:30-8:30pm
- Pride Mock Setup Day May 17th 2025 11AM-5PM
- Backdrop installation day part 2, May 27th 5:30-8:30pm
Stonewall Columbus Pride Dates:
Anticipated Hours at Pride
(Split into shifts, don’t worry, you don’t need to work the whole day! We know Friday may be tricky for those working during the day.)
- June 13, 2025 10AM- 11PM
- June 14, 2025 9:00AM- 11PM
( Please note that volunteer hours are estimated and the full schedule will be given at orientation.)
LOST? CONFUSED? NEED TO TALK TO US?
We got you! You can schedule a zoom call or email us at volunteer@autonomyproject.org
Meet the Teams!
Team | What You'll Do |
🎧 DJ / Sound Team | Help with audio setup, manage DJ flow, and hype the vibe. |
🛍️ Merch Team | Sell merch, process donations, and keep things looking fly. |
📢 Street Team | Talk to the people, pass out flyers, and bring new folks in. |
📸 Photo Booth Team | Run the photo setup, manage props, and keep the lines flowing. |
🛠️ Setup Team | Load-in, decorate, and build the space from the ground up. |
📦 Tear Down Team | Break it down with grace—clean, pack, and reset the space. |
Pride isn’t just a celebration—it’s a refusal.A refusal to shrink.
A refusal to disappear.
A refusal to let the world define our worth, our love, or our lives.
Joy is Resistance because for so many of us—queer folks, trans folks, sex workers, survivors, neurodivergent creatives—joy was never guaranteed. We had to fight for it. We still have to fight for it.
So when we dance in the streets, throw on sequins, kiss our lovers, and laugh too loud at a glitter-covered booth—we’re taking up space in a world that told us not to exist.
Every moment of joy at Pride is a middle finger to shame, to silence, and to systems that want us invisible.
We don’t show up at Pride just to be seen.
We show up to thrive—together.
LOST? CONFUSED? NEED TO TALK TO US?
If you need a one-on-one or group call to get clarity or help, we got you! You can schedule a zoom call or email us at volunteer@autonomyproject.org
Click Special Teams, if you are contacting us about Pride.
What’s the Difference Between a Special Events Volunteer and a Regular Volunteer?
Not sure about Pride and just want to Become a Regular Volunteer at AP? Follow the Steps Below!
Here’s your next steps! If you’ve already completed some of the steps, keep on going. It’s an easy as 1-2-3.
Step 1: Put in an Application
You kick this whole thing off by filling out the Volunteer Application here! You can also find this inside your AutonomyProject.org dashboard under “Volunteer Opportunities”
Step 2: Attend Volunteer Orientation
Once you’ve been approved, it’s time to get you onboarded. Head over to our Signup Portal to register for the next in-person orientation!
Step 3: Sign up for shifts!
Completed orientation? Awesome. It’s time for you to sign up for shifts. There’s lots of different opportunities at the Signup Portal.