Columbus City Council President Shannon G. Hardin has been named to the LGBTQ+ Victory Institute's "Political Power List," as per the institute's annual Out for America report. Announced by President and CEO of the institute, Evan Low, Hardin joins the ranks of what the report calls "26 of the most influential LGBTQ+ state and local elected officials from every corner of the U.S.," according to the City of Columbus City Council, an announcement released by the Victory Institute.
"I am proud of who I am," Hardin stated. "And my mission is to make sure everyone else can be proud of who they are as well. In Ohio, that can sometimes be a tough fight. But here in the city of Columbus, we stand up for the rights of everyone." Hardin's words resonate as an echo of perseverance in a statement obtained from the City of Columbus City Council announcement. Notably, Shannon Hardin is recognized as the first openly gay president of the Columbus City Council, noted for advocating LGBTQ+ rights with plans to establish the city's first-ever LGBTQ+ Commission.
Shannon Hardin, who represents Columbus’ South Side and now the East Side as well, has put significant effort into areas such as housing, homelessness, and community building during his tenure. The initiative known as the LinkUs plan, the passing of Issue 47 levy aimed at overhauling public transit, and the Columbus Promise program offering free education at Columbus State Community College for Columbus City Schools graduates, are among his major accomplishments. These efforts demonstrate a concerted effort to prepare the Columbus region for an anticipated growth of nearly one million residents over the next quarter-century, as indicated in the announcement.
The LGBTQ+ Victory Institute, founded in 1991, stands as a pivotal entity in American politics with its goal to elect openly LGBTQ+ officials. Since Evan Low took the helm as President and CEO in March 2025, their mission has expanded to include strategic support and training for LGBTQ+ candidates to ensure a broader representation and bolster influence within the political sphere. Low, who formerly served in the California State Assembly and as mayor of Campbell, now oversees the institute's efforts in fostering and recognizing leaders like Shannon Hardin, as detailed by the Victory Institute’s announcement.
