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Ohio Gay Pride is a United Family that colors outside of the lines to be who we are with integrity and fairness so that Royalty can be Born, not Chosen.  The primary goal of the Ohio Gay Pride Pageantry system is to positively promote the unity amongst the LGBT Community through Pageantry and Entertainment. Ohio Gay Pride Pageantry was the long standing dream of Donnie Miller to create a pageantry system that positively promotes our community and is administered in a way which is fair and and ethical to all involved.  Here at Ohio Gay Pride, we look beyond gender, allowing contestants to compete where they are most comfortable and where their performer personas fit best..

The Ohio Gay Pride Royal Court

(from left to right)
B Sharp - Ohio Gay Pride Imperial 2026
Nomi D'Shire - Ohio Gay Pride Imperial 2026
Genergy - Mx Ohio Gay Pride 2026

AJ Quin West - Miss Ohio Gay Pride 2026

Chris West - Mr Ohio Gay Pride 2026
 

Photo by Amomda Photography, LLC

OGP2026_edited.png

For Immediate Release

February 1, 2026

Ohio Gay Pride Residency Requirement Update

 

Ohio Gay Pride is excited to announce an update to our Residency Requirements for competition eligibility. Previously, participants were required to reside in Ohio or one of its bordering states (Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia). The new requirement is based on a 400-mile driving distance from your city to Columbus, Ohio, calculated using the shortest available route.

 

As a State Titleholder, you’ll be expected to meet several participation requirements; so, prior to competing make sure that you have no issues with the following:

  • Attend all preliminary pageants, which will be scheduled with at least 30-day notice.

  • Take part in at least four Pride festivals or parades across Ohio. Required events include Columbus, Dayton, Toledo, plus one small-town Pride celebration.

 

Please be advised that some areas previously eligible under the old requirements may no longer qualify. We encourage all applicants to verify their eligibility by checking their mileage.

  • Far Eastern Pennsylvania (East of Lancaster, East of Wellsboro, East of Lewisburg)

  • Far Western Kentucky (Paducah and West)

  • Far Northern Michigan (Fingertips of the Mitten & UP)

 

These are just some of the new cities that fall within the 400-mile area and are based on the Shortest Distances (which may not be fastest).

 

  • NY - Buffalo & Rochester

  • NC - Asheville, Winston-Salem & Greensboro

  • TN - Nashville & Knoxville

  • VA - Roanoke

  • MD - Baltimore

  • DC - Washington

  • IL - Chicago, Springfield & Peoria

  • WI - Kenosha & Racine

 

Reviewed cities that are outside the 400-mile driving limit are (some only by a few miles):

 

  • St. Louis, MO (by 11 miles)

  • Milwaukee, WI (by 11 miles)

  • Chattanooga, TN (by 66 miles)

  • Rockford, IL (by 3 miles)

  • Paducah, KY (by 21 miles)

  • Charlotte, NC (by 27 miles)

  • Greenville, SC (by 57 miles)

 

If you have questions or need assistance to determine your eligibility, please contact us or use a mileage checker tool.


Marc Offenburger
Owner and State Promoter
Ohio Gay Pride Pageantry

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