Founded in 1993 by the Gay and Lesbian Pride Movement, the Harriet Hancock Center was the first LGBTQ+ resource and community center in South Carolina. In 1994, we purchased the house at 1108 Woodrow Street in Columbia, and have called it home ever since. Renamed after our founder in 2005, we continue to be a place that offers support, education and opportunities to build confidence and connection in the LGBTQ+ community.

Our on-site programming is peer-led and creates a place for folx to be authentically themselves while navigating the complexities of identity. We also work with community partners to show up and advocate for the rights of not only the LGBTQ+ community, but our allies.

We host social events and educational opportunities to serve an ever growing community. Our youth-focused events like Queer Prom are hosted through our Youth OUTLOUD program which meets twice a month. We have a variety of groups for those who are 18+ through Queer Collective. We also host open-to-all activities such as workshops, Pop-Up Closet or our First Sunday Potluck, which is our oldest event hosted every month.

Aside from resources for those seeking information about affirming care providers and businesses, we operate a lending library. The Sam Nickles Memorial Library is available during business hours and allows folx to check out books to take off-site. Visit our catalog to review our titles.

When events are not hosted, the community is welcome to come by the HHC and relax our couches, get work done in our meeting room or study in the library.

For more information about events and meetings, hosted at the HHC and surrounding areas, please visit our community calendar.