South Carolina, like much of the U.S. South, has a less than stellar reputation when it comes to issues affecting the LGBTQ community. The state does not have any state-wide anti-discrimination laws in place to protect LGBTQ people. However, LGBTQ people will find bright spots in some cities in South Carolina. Many South Carolina cities, universities, and employers have taken it upon themselves to stand up for LGBTQ people.
While there are certainly some parts of the state that might be less than welcoming to members of the LGBTQ community, out-of-staters might be surprised at how open and accepting these South Carolina communities can be. We take a look at the Human Rights Campaign’s equality index, as well as our own take on the most gay and queer friendly cities in South Carolina.
- Columbia, SC, the state’s capital, tops the list of LGBTQ friendly cities
- Charleston, the state’s largest city, comes in second for LGBTQ acceptance
- Greenville is an underrated city for LGBTQ acceptance
- Myrtle Beach is a great option for an LGBTQ vacation
- Spartanburg, SC is a surprisingly queer-friendly small city
- Conclusion
- References
Columbia, SC, the state’s capital, tops the list of LGBTQ friendly cities
Topping the list of LGBTQ-friendly cities in South Carolina is Columbia, the second most populous city in the state. The Human Rights Campaign gave Columbia high scores across the board when it comes to various areas of city government that affect LGBTQ people, but the city missed out on points related to city services for queer people.
The city is home, however, to the Harriet Hancock Center, which provides resources to LGBTQ people and businesses in Columbia.
South Carolina’s capital is also home to a number of popular and historical gay bars and clubs. The University of South Carolina attracts young and educated people to the city, making the city a more LGBTQ-friendly place. Columbia is an overall safe choice for LGBTQ visitors or newcomers looking for a place in South Carolina to call home.
Charleston, the state’s largest city, comes in second for LGBTQ acceptance
Next on our list is Charleston, SC, the state’s most populous city. Charleston offers some protection from discrimination to LGBTQ citizens, although the Human Rights Campaign docked the city for failing to provide for transgender-inclusive healthcare benefits. Charleston has a reputation as a very friendly city, however, and this holds true for the LGBTQ community.
The city is near the beach which attracts tourists from all over the world, including LGBTQ tourists. The city is also known for its hundreds of churches, which may send mixed signals to queer travelers, but many of the city’s churches have been at the forefront of LGBTQ acceptance. LGBTQ people will likely feel welcome and accepted in Charleston.
Greenville is an underrated city for LGBTQ acceptance
Next up is Greenville, a diverse mid-sized city in the Upstate region of South Carolina. The Human Rights Campaign’s equality index gives the city mixed reviews because it lacks non-discrimination laws that extend to the LGBTQ community. However, the index gives high marks to the city’s law enforcement for its cooperation in preventing hate crimes, and for its outreach to the LGBTQ community.
Notably, the city is home to South Carolina’s first openly gay lawmaker, Jason Elliot, who was elected to the state legislature in 2017, which is one reason it gets the third spot on our list. The city is also home to Upstate Pride SC, a pride organization that also serves Spartanburg, South Carolina. Greenville is far from perfect, however, with room for improvement on LGBTQ issues.
Myrtle Beach is a great option for an LGBTQ vacation
Up the coast from Charleston is the popular beach destination city of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Likely due to the influx of tourists the city receives, Myrtle Beach is a relatively queer-friendly locale in the state. While the city does not offer legal protection from discrimination to LGBTQ people through city ordinances, the Human Rights Campaign gives the city points for offering city services specific to LGBTQ youth and older adults. The city’s leadership is also generally pro-LGBTQ.
Myrtle Beach also offers visitors and residents gay and gay-friendly bars and nightclubs. This coastal city is a good choice for queer visitors looking for a beach vacation in the Southeast.
Spartanburg, SC is a surprisingly queer-friendly small city
While Spartanburg, SC was not evaluated by the Human Rights Campaign due to its relatively small size, we think it deserves a space on this list. Spartanburg is also in the state’s Upstate region, between Greenville and Charlotte, North Carolina. Spartanburg is home to many LGBTQ individuals, couples, and families.
Spartanburg has hosted the Upstate Pride Festival and Parade since 2009. The Upstate Pride celebration takes place annually in the Fall of each year. While there are few to no dedicated gay bars or clubs in the city, there are queer events held at various venues around the city.
Spartanburg is also just over an hour’s drive away from both Asheville, NC and Charlotte, NC which both have larger queer communities and more opportunities to explore queer nightlife.
Conclusion
While LGBTQ visitors or newcomers to South Carolina might be right to think carefully about which cities are queer-friendly, we hope this list offers a great starting point and some hope that there are queer-friendly locales in South Carolina.
LGBTQ acceptance has improved drastically in the state over the past few decades, and the cities on this list are great options for LGBTQ people looking to visit or call South Carolina home.
