Jalyn Thacker wanted a safe place to go as a queer kid. He couldn’t celebrate his transgender identity at home in rural Adams County, Ohio. Hanging out with a small group of friends, the then-16-year-old would travel to nearby Hillsboro Pride or 70 miles to Cincinnati to authentically be himself with like-minded people.
Thacker thought back then that Adams County would never have a Pride festival. But eight years later, at age 24, he made the impossible possible–organizing the county’s first Pride, which will take place June 13 at Adams Lake State Park.
“People in our community just need to know that they don’t have to go far away from home to be who they are,” Thacker said.
Last year, Thacker approached the Adams County Democratic Party to see if they could help him start a Pride. He was connected with another organizer, and it led to their first event in October 2025.
They weren’t sure there was enough demand for a Pride festival in Adams County, Thacker said. But October’s event – a Pride cookout – proved them wrong.
Vendors, nonprofits and churches from all over Adams County spread the word, turning out around 40 attendees, he said.
“We kind of just threw it together,” he recalled. “We were like, ‘Okay, people actually need this in our community. Maybe we should try to do something a little bigger, like having a Pride event.’”
Adams County Pride is currently applying for a 501c3 nonprofit status, Thacker said. They are also trying to get the word out and host a monthly social.
Security will be present at the Pride festival. A drag show, a talent show, and local vendors and nonprofits are planned for the June event. Though sometimes disdainful comments pop up in the group’s Facebook posts, “for the most part, we’ve had people commenting and saying, ‘I didn’t know this was a thing. This is awesome,’” Thacker said. . .
The organization is running a social event at a library on May 4 and an event to make crafts and decorations for Pride on May 16. The festival itself will feature vendors, nonprofits, food trucks and drag performances.
“I just hope that it turns out great and that we can keep making it bigger and better every year,” Thacker said.
IGNITE ACTION
- To find more Prides in Ohio, click here for our 2026 Pride Guide.
- To learn more about Adams County Pride, visit their Facebook page here.
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