Other Organizations

Below are LGBTQ+ focused organizations and groups that we often collaborate with, aim to uplift and believe are detrimental to creating safe spaces for the LGBTQ+ community in our state and region.

Columbia and the Midlands

Individuals Respecting Identities and Sexualities (IRIS) at UofSC

Individuals Respecting Identities and Sexualities is a social, service, and advocacy organization for the LGBTQ community at the University of South Carolina. The meetings are anonymous and conducted in forum style. The group discusses a range of issues and also sponsors educational programs throughout the year.

Website: https://garnetgate.sa.sc.edu/organization/iris
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UofSCIRIS/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/UofSCIRIS
Email: soiris@mailbox.sc.edu

SC Black Pride

The mission of South Carolina Black Pride is to unify and celebrate the diversity, creativity, and beauty of South Carolina's lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, queer, and non-gender conforming (LGBTQ) communities of color and our supporters, in order to empower and promote the human rights of all families and communities.

Website: https://www.scblackpride.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/southcarolina.blackpride
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scblackpride

SC Pride

The mission of South Carolina Pride Movement is to support the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender community of South Carolina; to celebrate the richness and diversity of GLBT lives; to educate the general population on LGBT issues; and to advocate for equality and inclusion in all areas of life.

Website: https://scpride.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/famouslyhotscpride/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SCPrideMovement

South Carolina

Gender Benders

Gender Benders, based out of Greenville, SC, strives to create a safe and supportive space for transgender, GNC, LGBT*, and allied individuals by connecting folks through friendships, providing support through resources, and initiating trans-inclusive community change through social action.

Website: http://genderbenders.org/index.html
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GenderBendersUpstate/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/genderbenders1
E-mail: info@genderbenders.org

Grand Strand Pride

Mission: Advancing acceptance of the Grand Strand LGBT community through increased visibility

Website: http://www.grandstrandpride.com/
E-mail: terry@grandstrandpride.com
Phone: 843-839-3511
Address: 1335 44th Avenue North, Suite 102, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina  29577-5978

We Are Family (WAF)

We Are Family provides direct support, leadership development opportunities, and advocacy for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, (LGBTQI) and straight ally youth ages 0-25. We Are Family’s vision is that LGBTQI and straight ally youth feel empowered to find their places in the world, in their families, and in their communities.

Website: http://www.wearefamilycharleston.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WeAreFamilyCHS/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/wearefamilychs?lang=en
E-mail: info@waf.org
Phone: 843-637-3697
Mailing Address: 1801 Reynolds Avenue, Unit B, North Charleston, SC 29405

National Organizations

Lambda Legal

Lambda Legal, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is a national organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and everyone living with HIV through impact litigation, education and public policy work.

Website: https://www.lambdalegal.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lambdalegal
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LambdaLegal

National LGBTQ Task Force

The National LGBTQ Task Force fights for justice, advances liberation, promotes equity, and is working towards a world where you are free to be you.

Website: http://www.thetaskforce.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thetaskforce
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thetaskforce

National Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) Network

GSA Network is a next-generation LGBTQ racial and gender justice organization that empowers and trains queer, trans and allied youth leaders to advocate, organize, and mobilize an intersectional movement for safer schools and healthier communities. It is the official position of the Federal Department of Education that all students have the government’s support to form Gay-Straight Alliances under the Equal Access Act.

Website: https://gsanetwork.org/
Facebook: http://facebook.com/gsanetwork
E-mail: info@gsanetwork.org

Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC)

The Southern Poverty Law Center is dedicated to fighting hate and bigotry and to seeking justice for the most vulnerable members of our society. Using litigation, education, and other forms of advocacy, the SPLC works toward the day when the ideals of equal justice and equal opportunity will be a reality.

Website: https://www.splcenter.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SPLCenter
Twitter: https://twitter.com/splcenter
E-mail: info@splcenter.org

Southern Poverty Law Center Best Practices: Creating an LGBT-inclusive School Climate (2018)

Teaching Tolerance kits are free to educators. Best Practices: Creating an LGBT-inclusive School Climate offers advice ranging from ensuring that a school’s anti-bullying policy explicitly prohibits anti-LGBT bullying to recognizing staff members who promote an inclusive school environment.

Website: https://www.tolerance.org/magazine/publications/best-practices-for-serving-lgbtq-students
http://www.tolerance.org/lgbt-best-practices

Southerners On New Ground (SONG)

SONG is a home for LGBTQ liberation across all lines of race, class, abilities, age, culture, gender, and sexuality in the South. We build, sustain, and connect a southern regional base of LGBTQ people in order to transform the region through strategic projects and campaigns developed in response to the current conditions in our communities. SONG builds this movement through leadership development, intersectional analysis, and organizing.

Website: http://southernersonnewground.org/
Facebook: http://facebook.com/ignitekindred
Twitter: http://twitter.com/ignitekindred
E-mail: kindred@southernersonnewground.org
Phone: 404-549-8628