In a Zoom conference to reconsider funding for the Greenville Gay Men’s Chorus and Proud Mary Theatre Company of Spartanburg, the SC Arts Commission finalized its rejection of funding for both groups.
Initial funding was denied because of questions related to the “artistic merit” of both organizations, as reported by Qnotes on September 18. Funding was temporarily denied at that first meeting despite the commission’s staff recommending funding be approved.
Originally set for October 15, the Commission moved up the meeting at the last minute to a video conference format on Thursday, October 1.
Ed Madden, LGBTQ+ activist and poet, was quick to note that by moving up the meeting date, the Commission “effectively slashed the period available for public comment.” He added, “Intentional or not, this move suggests a desire to suppress public comment.”
Prior to the vote, the Commission went into executive session to “receive legal counsel.” What that counsel was and what prompted the need for it was not revealed.
The Commission had requested more information, in addition to the original applications, from both organizations. Each complied. A final question on the additional form asked about “in-school” activities. Both groups said they did not engage in such activities.
There were no questions asked of either organization that were in any way related to “artistic merit.”
Following the executive session, chairperson Flavia Harton of Greenville asked for separate motions to approve funding requests from both groups. Motions were made, but there was no discussion.
A roll-call vote was taken.
Voting in favor of funding the Gay Men’s Chorus of Greenville and the Proud Mary Theatre Company were: David Hodges of Columbia, Barbara Nwokike of Charleston and Heidi Carey of Columbia.
Those voting against funding were: Russell “Rip” Parks of Easley, Jessica Rourke of Columbia, Linda Stern of Columbia, Danielle Thompson of Sumter and Bhavna Vasudeva of Columbia.
As chairperson, Harton only votes in case of a tie.
It should be noted that the Commission has, in years past, funded both The Gay Men’s Chorus of Greenville and Spartanburg’s Proud Mary Theatre Company. As arts writer Paul Hyde recently commented in the SC Daily Gazette, “Both organizations have also received arts commission grants in the past, without an apparent concern over ideology.”
Madden summed up the actions of the Arts Commission and the message he believes it sends: No Queers Need Apply. “This discriminatory vote on the part of the commission establishes both precedent and mechanism for state-mandated bigotry against LGBTQ artists,” Madden added.
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