AFFA welcomes author
CHARLESTON, S.C. — The Alliance for Full Acceptance will present Keeping the Faith: Reconciling Religion & LGBTQ Identity on July 17, 6:30 p.m., at Circular Congregation Church, 150 Meeting St., featuring author Amber Cantorna who penned “Refocusing My Family.”
Cantorna is the daughter of an executive at Focus On the Family, the conservative Christian organization that has spent thousands of dollars on coordinated campaigns against the LGBTQ community. She unveils what it was like to be raised in one of the most anti-gay religious organizations still in existence today and how coming out as gay shunned her from the family she loved and burdened her with a degree of devastation that nearly took her life. With grace and transparency, Cantorna sheds light on the harm that religious and family rejection “reeks on the human soul,” and offers to LGBTQ individuals and their religious families, a “better way to love.”
The alliance will bring together a coalition of local welcoming faith communities for the event. They include Circular Congregational Church, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Metropolitan Community Church of Charleston, Two Rivers United Methodist Church, Unity Church of Charleston, Unitarian Church in Charleston, Unity of Charleston and Saint Bonaventure Catholic Church.
A reception with refreshments follows the program.
To RSVP, visit bit.ly/2JKsVXO.
info: affa-sc.org.
Dems do Pride in the Park
LITTLE RIVER, S.C. — The Myrtle Beach-Horry County Democratic LGBT Committee and the Horry County Democratic Party will hold their Democratic Pride in the Park on June 16, 1 p.m., at Vereen Memorial Historical Gardens, 2250 Hwy. 179.
Participants will be able to meet Democratic candidates and enjoy LGBTQ-supportive friends, organizers shared.
RSVP to Democratic.Pride@yahoo.com for those who wish to eat burgers and receive beverages with a $5 payment at the door. All other participants can simply show up and enjoy the afternoon while celebrating Democratic values.
info: facebook.com/MBLGBTDems. horrydemocrats.org.
Bingo goes unicorns, glitter
CHARLESTON, S.C. — Gay Bingo, “Rainbow, Unicorns & Glitter,” is being held on Aug. 16, 6 p.m., at Memminger Auditorium, 56 Beaufain St., and is set to have “more glitter than a Cher concert,” organizers said.
The event is being held as a fundraiser for Palmetto Community Care (formerly Lowcountry AIDS Services), with Patti O’Furniture as hostess and a costume contest.
“The community has really embraced this event and each year we’re striving to make it even better,” said Jason Kirk, director of development and marketing for Palmetto Community Care. “We’re improving the sound quality, the bar service and the food options. Add to that rainbows, unicorns and glitter beer, and we know this is going to be the best Gay Bingo yet.”
Participants can play six games of bingo, enjoy food truck options and vie for prizes for best costumes. Winners for each game receive prize packages, including spa treatments, restaurant gift certificates, entertainment and more with prize packages valued between $300-$500.
Tickets, which over the last two years have sold out, are available at $25/advance through July 31, $35/through Aug. 15 and $40/day of. VIP tickets are $60/advance and $75/day of and include a pre-event reception at 5 p.m., premium seating and a free drink ticket.
Sponsorships are also available. Email Kirk at jkirk@palmettocare.org to learn more.
info: charlestongaybingo.org. palmettocare.org.
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Share your news with us
Does your organization or special interest group have events or great information to share with our readers? If so, be sure to send in your information to specialassignments@goqnotes-launch2.newspackstaging.com. In the upcoming months, we’ll feature one of you in our news notes section in each issue. Are you a part of a Meetup, Yahoo or Google group and do you do something that’s really newsworthy? Do you provide a service for the community or hold fundraisers for worthy causes? Do you educate the public about LGBTQ issues or concerns? Of course, this is only a sampling of things we are interested in. It’s the aim of these pieces to inform, enlighten and educate our readers about what we’re doing here in the Carolinas to champion LGBTQ rights, as well as offer resources for those who may be interested in what your group is doing.
We had a great turnout and a good time was had by all! The Democratic Party genuinely does support LGBT citizens.
Pictures are here:
https://www.facebook.com/pg/HorryCountyDemocrats/photos/?ref=page_internal