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The Flaggots 0hio Story

Columbus heard about Chicago putting together a group of guys to march in the Gay Pride Parade...

"Hey, that sounds like FUN!
We could do that TOO!  Now,
WHO are these guys again?!?!"
 

"They're Righteous...
and 0UTrageous!"
Please welcome..."

The
Righteously
OUTrageous
Twirling
 Corps

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ROTC-Flaggot Network

» ROTC: Seattle 1983
» The Flaggots (NY) 1990
» ROTC: Chicago 1994
» ROTC: DC 1994
» ROTC: Columbus? 1994 --->
» ROTC: Toronto 1995
» Flaggots Ohio 2002
» ROTC: St. Pete 2003
» ROTC: Salt Lake, UT 2006
» ROTC: San Francisco 19?,2006
» ROTC: USA 2007
» SPIN Columbus 2007
» Flaggots Palm Springs 2007
» STP: St Pete Twirling Prj 2008
» ROTC Vancouver 2008

"You TWIRL, GIRL!"

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"Sooooo...what's a FLAGG0T?" 

Well, Urbandictionary.com has several entries from folks who THINK they know what one is, but the REAL definition is right here...  0

 

 

flaggot n.

The lone single-soldiers with banner or weapon in High School, not marching the same,
who join as a stronger, acceptance as armor, brigade of this once ugly name.

 

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If it makes sense, or if it doesn't,  it doesn't matter, cuz we're ALL family and we do it  Just FO FUN!

 

 

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Do you have a story to tell about your ROTC or Flaggot experience?

 PLEASE SHARE IT WITH US! Whether you were an early performer or just have an interesting recollection of the group, your input has a place in our scrapbook!

 The Flaggots Story

THE FLAGGOTS OHIO MISSION: To Develop a Leading Performance Arts Organization that offers High Quality Entertainment and Experience through Member Commitment and Dedication.

Flaggots Ohio, an 'all volunteer' performance ensemble, formally stepped-off in 2002 with the purpose of entertaining crowds at Central Ohio Pride Parades and Festivals through the sport of Color Guard.  Beginnings of this flag-tastic family stretch back to 1994 when a fledgling group of 10 spinners marched in the Columbus Gay Pride Parade.  These 'Flaggots' were unable to coalesce into a permanent annually performing color guard organization until almost a decade later...

Since that time, Flaggots Ohio has gained international popularity, winning the hearts and support of hundreds-of-thousands of adoring fans from various events, YouTube and Facebook.

1994: Early Seeds

A group of 10 march with the Columbus Gay Men's Chorus in the Columbus Gay Pride Parade and perform to “Give It Up” at the Pride Rally at Bicentennial Park.









(Pictured from R->L: Kevin Diffenbaugh, Michael Schreiner, Matt Eisert, Jim Brey, Eric Woods)

1994 Columbus Pride Festival

1997-99: Groundwork

In 1997, 3 rifles and small flag ensemble appeared in the Columbus Gay Pride parade. In 1999, Eisert joins ‘The Flaggots’ in the NY City Gay Pride Parade (3.5hrs, 770,000 participants), performing to Whitney Houston's "It's not right, but it's OK."








(Pictured: Johnny Wislon)

1997 Columbus Pride Parade

2002: Debut!

Matt Eisert & Joe Bowman met with several local guard instructors who showed interest in performing. ‘The Flaggots’ (NY) gave permission to use their name, music and routine. Flaggots Ohio debut with 15 performers in the Columbus Pride Parade performing to Mary J. Blige's "No More Drama."

2002 Columbus Pride Parade

Later that year, FO performed as the Kick-off Entertainment to the National PFLAG Conference held in Columbus. With guest performers joining them from The Flaggots (NY) and Chicago's Righteously Outrageous Twirling Corps (ROTC).

2002 National PFLAG Conference

2003: Beautiful

10 performers debut "Beautiful" on May 4 at AIDS Walk 2003. FO marches 24 performers through ‘Ohio Pride Tour’ including Dayton (6/7), Cincinnati (6/14) and Columbus (6/28).

2003 AIDS Walk Columbus

FO members join Chicago's ROTC to perform in Chicago's FIREBALL (Feb), Gay Pride Parade (June), San Diego's Pride Parade (July) & Halsted Street Fair (Aug). FO adds rifle to their program and wraps up the 2003 Season at their premier at King's Island PRIDE NIGHT (9/26) with 11 guests from Chicago's ROTC.

2003 Columbus Pride Parade

2004: All Things

FO begins weekly indoor rehearsals at Wall Street Night Club, adopts military uniform base to parallel Affiliate ROTC units and adds Safety Green T's.

2004 Dancin' in the Streets

"All Things" kept getting better with FO's new Web Site, increased media coverage, 2 performances with Simone Denny (shown here at Dancin' in the Streets and Paramount King's Island's Pride Night). Eighteen performers at each attended Pride event (18 performances total, 5 songs).

2004 Pride Night King's Island

2005: California Dreamin’

FO plans trip to San Diego, CA for Pride in July. Hosts Yard Sale, Variety Show, Gallery Hop appearance and more to raise money to send 15 out west. Adds "True Color" to the program via small ensemble floor show.

2005 San Diego Pride Parade

FO makes Columbus PROUD by bringing home "Most Outrageous and Creative Marching Float” award from 2005 San Diego Pride Parade. Makes local news late September in "Via Finale" special performance (25 total performances, 6 songs).

2005 Flaggots Ohio & Support

2006: NOBODY
5th Anniversary Winter Training & Marketing Programs produce largest member base of 27 performers for Columbus Parade! Pink T's, new Logo, "FO-made" Pink/Black striped flags, & voice-over narrations all add to their biggest year yet!   (18  performances / 10 songs)
2006 Columbus Pride Festival
Flaggot-Affiliates in ROTC host first-ever, officially sanctioned Color Guard Event in Chicago as part of the Cultural Program in Gay Games VII.  Events took place at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park mid-July 2006 .
2006 Gay Games VII in Chicago

2007: SUPER-FREAK
Several members break off in search of more diverse performance opportunities, to form Spin Columbus.  FO’s Founding members rebuild smaller, more unified ensemble with a less rigorous performance schedule than in years past.  FO’s core 15 Performers and 12 Supporters dazzle crowds at the June Gallery Hop, CLGSA's Bat-N-Rouge Softball Game as well as winning Best 2007 Performance at the Columbus Pride Parade and Festival!  (16  performances / 10 songs)
2007 Columbus Pride Parade
Members of Flaggots Ohio travel to Palm Springs, CA to assist and perform w/the debut of FO’s newest sibling, Flaggots Palm Springs during the Palm Springs PRIDE Festivities in early November.

Flaggots Ohio receives the honor of being inducted into the Gay Ohio Historical Initiative (GOHI)

What will FO do in . . . 2 0 0 8 ? ! ? 

. . . coming soon!
2007 Palm Springs Pride in CA.

2008: MESMERIZED
Eleven (11) PerFOrmers and several loyal FO Supporters travel to another first for FO... INDIANAPOLIS, IN! Ohio's Flaggots met up with their Spinning Sisters, ROTC Chicago, for a fun-filled weekend in this beautiful city.

Flaggots Ohio mesmerized the crowds with their flag-tastic fierceness, performing Defying Gravity, Girlfriend and FO's 2008 Feature...MESMERIZED!
2008 Indianapolis Pride Parade
Flaggots Ohio hit the streets of Columbus with a NEW LOOK and GREAT attitude! Sixteen (16) performers braved the battering winds and inclement weather to perform in the Pride Parade for those who remained along Columbus' parade route.

FO didn't fare too well at the Festival, for a monsoon hit center stage just moments before performance time...so, no FO Show this year.  
2008 Columbus Pride Parade

2009: ABSOLUTELY HOT!
Pretty in Pink, Flaggots Ohio braces the oncoming 30-mph winds as they march north on High Street in the Columbus Gay Pride Parade, bringing back to life their pink/black striped flags and strutting their stuff to anthem diva Deborah Cox in 'Absolutely Not'. 

Members from The Flaggots (NY) and ROTC Chicago join us to produce an entertaining ensemble of 23 performers for  both parade and festival!
2009 Columbus Pride Parade
Flaggots Ohio steps forward with tradition at the 2009 Bat-N-Rouge Softball Benefit, acting as the official Color Guard presenting 'the colors' during the singing of our national anthem..."The Star Spangled Banner".

Ohio's Flaggots volunteer their time to perform at this annual event, one of Central Ohio's biggest GLBT Benefits that is traditionally held during Columbus Pride Weekend.
2009 Bat-N-Rouge Benefit
 

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