Is South Carolina LGBT-Friendly? Inclusivity in a Deep South State

South Carolina has issues with LGBTQ equality, for sure, but there are some bright spots throughout the state. The state has a poor history of protecting minority interests, including LGBTQ interests. However, while state laws are not ideal for protecting the queer community, there are still plenty of reasons a queer person would want to live in or visit the state.

Table of Contents

LGBTQ Rights and Laws in South Carolina State Law Are Basically Non-Existent
Safe Spaces for the LGBTQ Community in South Carolina
Conclusion
References

LGBTQ Rights and Laws in South Carolina State Law Are Basically Non-Existent

South Carolina is unfortunately rated toward the bottom of states according to the Human Rights Campaign’s index of state laws. Unlike its northern neighbor, North Carolina, which has some protections for LGBTQ individuals, South Carolina offers almost nothing in the way of non-discrimination laws for LGBTQ people.

One exception is that the state’s university system, the University of South Carolina, does not discriminate based on sexual orientation or gender identity. The Human Rights Campaign has identified South Carolina as a “high priority” state to achieve better protection for LGBTQ people.

Also, while it is now legal across the United States, gay marriage became legal in South Carolina in 2014.

Although South Carolina’s state laws are not ideal for protecting LGBTQ equality, the state is not all bad for LGBTQ people. There are reasons outside of state law that could make South Carolina a good home or destination for LGBTQ visitors.

Safe Spaces for the LGBTQ Community in South Carolina

While the state may have received a low score from the Human Rights Campaign that doesn’t mean some parts of South Carolina aren’t a great place for members of the queer community to call home. There is more to life than state law, after all, and there are plenty of reasons LGBTQ individuals and families might want to visit or call South Carolina home.

LGBT-Friendly Cities in South Carolina

Even though state laws leave a lot to be desired in terms of LGBTQ equality and protection, some local governments have stepped up to fill the void. In addition to LGBTQ rights, many South Carolina cities have amazing queer communities doing fun and interesting things.

Columbia, the state’s capital, is home to the Harriet Hancock Center which provides resources to LGBTQ people and businesses. The city also has a number of popular and historical gay bars and clubs, and has an annual Pride celebration.

Charleston, the state’s largest city, offers some legal protection from discrimination against LGBTQ citizens. The city also hosts an annual Pride, and is a popular tourist destination near the beach.

Greenville is an underrated city for LGBTQ acceptance. Greenville lacks non-discrimination laws that extend to the LGBTQ community, but the city is home to South Carolina’s first openly gay lawmaker and Upstate Pride SC, a pride organization that also serves Spartanburg.

Myrtle Beach is a great option for an LGBTQ vacation. The city hosts a lot of tourists, including queer tourists. While it does not offer legal protection from discrimination against LGBTQ people, the city leadership is generally pro-LGBTQ. The city also offers gay and gay-friendly bars and nightclubs.

Spartanburg is a surprisingly queer-friendly small city. Spartanburg is home to many LGBTQ individuals, couples, and families, and hosts the Upstate Pride Festival and Parade annually.

Check out our article on LGBT-Friendly Cities in South Carolina for a more in-depth look at the most queer-friendly communities in the state.

LGBT-Friendly Employers in South Carolina

While the state does not protect against employment discrimination, queer workers in South Carolina have plenty of opportunities to work for a company that does not discriminate. After all, who wants to work for an employer whose only reason for not discriminating is a state law?

Here are some of the major LGBTQ-friendly employers in South Carolina:

Boeing: Boeing is an American multinational corporation that designs, manufactures, and sells airplanes and other aerospace vessels. Boeing’s facility in Charleston, South Carolina is the company’s second-largest manufacturing site. Boeing maintains multiple LGBTQ employee affinity groups, including the Boeing Employees Pride Alliance and Boeing Employees Transgender Alliance.

BMW: BMW is a German multinational corporation that produces luxury vehicles and motorcycles. The company has a manufacturing facility in Spartanburg, South Carolina, which produces over 1,500 vehicles per day and employs over 11,000 people. BMW has offered benefits to the same-sex partners of its Spartanburg employees since 2008.

Prisma Health: Prisma Health is a not-for-profit health organization. It is the largest healthcare provider in South Carolina and employs tens of thousands of people across the state. Prisma maintains a list of healthcare providers who specialize in providing care to the LGBTQ community.

Volvo: Volvo is a Swedish luxury vehicle manufacturer that operates a manufacturing facility in Berkeley County, South Carolina, and employs over 2,000 people in the state. Volvo has provided benefits to same-sex partners of its employees since before same-sex marriage was legal in the state.

General Electric: General Electric is an American multinational conglomerate, it operates a manufacturing facility in Greenville, South Carolina, and employs over 2,000 people. General Electric was recognized by the Human Rights Campaign for its LGBTQ-inclusive corporate policies.

LGBT Communities, Clubs, and Activities in South Carolina

For LGBTQ people looking to get involved in the community, or simply socialize, there are tons of ways to do so in South Carolina. Here is a short list of just some of the LGBTQ organizations in South Carolina.

LGBTQ Community Centers – There are LGBTQ community centers in Columbia (Harriet Hancock Center) and Charleston (We Are Family) that provide resources and support to the community, including support for LGBTQ people experiencing health issues, LGBTQ youth, and more.

Pride Events – Charleston, Columbia, and Spartanburg each have annual Pride festivals and parades. These events can be a great way to get introduced to the local LGBTQ communities in each of these cities.

Nightlife – Columbia, Charleston, and Myrtle Beach each offer gay nightlife venues that range from relaxed bar hangout spots to vibrant dance clubs.

Conclusion

In recent decades, the LGBTQ movement has made great strides towards equality and acceptance in the United States, and South Carolina is no exception.

While there is lots of room for South Carolina to improve on LGBTQ rights and equality, there are plenty of queer-friendly spaces and activities to explore in the state.