Equality wins at state level
COLUMBIA, S.C. — SC Equality has reported that through its efforts and those of progressive-minded South Carolinians that for the second year, all anti-LGBT bills at the South Carolina General Assembly were defeated.
Jeff Ayers, SC Equality executive director, shared that this was the second year in a row that the organization had successfully helped to defeat all 11 anti-LGBT bills that had been filed during the 2016 South Carolina legislative session. General Assembly allies and coalition partners banded together to see the battle through to a successful completion.
“South Carolina is one of the only states in the ‘Deep South’ to make this claim. You all should be proud of what we have accomplished together,” Ayers said of the 11-bill defeat.
Opponents of the bills contributed funds to help in the fight and Ayers shared that they were all appreciative of the overwhelming support that was given to the effort. However, he added that the challenge was not over as anti-LGBT legislators may be poised to try to push through measures in 2017.
“But for today, let us pause and celebrate our huge victory at the South Carolina State House this year,” Ayers said as he encouraged pro-LGBT individuals and organizations to “stand together” to push against the bigotry so that equality wins out.
info: scequality.org.
Pride pageant upcoming
CHARLESTON, S.C. — Charleston Pride will present its “Heroes and Villains” super-powered drag pageant on June 30, 10 p.m., at Cure Nightclub, 28 Ann St. Doors open at 9 p.m.
Host for the evening will be Paris LeFaris who will guide contestants through each round while judges talley their results and crown a winner.
The current Empress of Charleston Pride Jaisee Alexander will take her final walk and crown the winner at the pageant.
Registration is available online. Entry fee is $125, payable in advance.
Admission cover is $10 with proceeds going to support Charleston Pride.
info: charlestonpride.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 LGBT 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 LGBT rights, as well as offer resources for those who may be interested in what your group is doing.