LGBTQ Organizations
Use the filters below to find organizations that support and serve the LGBTQ community.
Category: Social
Queer Wellness Center
Upstate SC(864) 655-5193
info@queerwellnesscenter.org
As the first of it’s kind, the QWC provides a safe and accepting environment where the queer community in Upstate SC can gain access to affirming resources and businesses alike. They have several programs: BLOOM provides LGBTQ+ competency training for school personnel/counselors and other adolescent mental health providers in Spartanburg, Greenville and Anderson counties. BLOOM also provides free group, individual, and family therapy to LGBTQ+ youth and their families. LEAP provides an open no-cost peer support group to the trans community. AFFIRM SC provides safe spaces for professionals within and outside the health and human services field to learn and grow in their understanding of cultural competency, diversity, and inclusivity. Project HEART works to bring affirming medical care to the LGBTQ+ community of Upstate SC. The Queer Wellness Center offers scholarships to provide financial aid to cover partial or full cost of medical visits for hormones, prescriptions, therapy, temporary housing and medical procedures.
The Ladies Room SC
Upstate SCebonisims14@gmail.com
TLR is the first Black-led, trans-led LGBTQ+ Center in Upstate South Carolina, serving primarily black and brown trans and non-binary people. They provide: Skills programs for adults and adolescents and sex workers, assistance with HRT and name change process, STD/STI/HIV services, resources for drug addiction, holistic healthcare support, emergency housing and food insecurity assistance, and more.
Lowcountry Pink Pistols
They are a shooting group that honors diversity and is open to all shooters. They help bring new shooters into the practice and provide a fun social environment for all our members. They work to build bridges between the shooting community and other communities, such as those based on alternative sexualities. They advocate the use of lawfully-owned, lawfully-concealed firearms for the self-defense of the sexual minority community.
They proudly represent the Low Country Areas of Charleston, Berkley, Dorchester, Colleton, Hampton, Jasper, and Beaufort Counties. (If you’re outside this area, you are still MORE THAN welcome to join.)
Lowcountry in Transition
Charleston, SC
lowcountryintransition@gmail.com
LIT is a group by and for trans and nonbinary adults trying to support each other through creating community, hosting support and social events, and sharing resources. They hold a monthly meeting from 1:00-2:30 on the 4th Saturday of every month, as well as a variety of other online and in-person events and activities.
Camp Lightbulb
New York City or Los Angeles,
(323) 484-7993
info@camplightbulb.org
Camp Lightbulb is an LGBTQ+ summer camp for youth age 14 to 18. Since 2011 they have welcomed more than 2500 youth from across the US and around the world. Each trip is unique and incorporates their core principles of Art, Community, Fun, Learning, Outdoors, Service, and Wellness. Participants can expect a mix of fun, inspiration and celebration. Expect 25 to 35 participants per trip, which is the perfect number: large enough to make lots of friends, but small enough for plenty of individual attention. They offer financial assistance and payment plans on a Pay What You Can basis.
Give Us The Floor
Give Us The Floor (GUTF) is a US-based non-profit organization providing 2SLGBTQIA+ youth across the US with a supportive community of their peers when they need it most in a safe, online environment. Their inclusive group chats provided through our free mobile app give 2SLGBTQIA+ youth and their allies a safe coping tool to break the isolation and shame cycles they so often experience. Trained youth facilitate the confidential and anonymous groups, and participants help each other talk through prevalent mental health and social issues such as depression, loneliness, anxiety, identity, discrimination, bullying, relationships, domestic violence, and body image. Though they specialize in support for Queer and Trans youth, all who share our mission to provide a safer, more supportive world for Queer and Trans youth are welcome to join our community!
Lambert House
Since 1981 the Lambert House LGBTQ Youth Center has cared for, championed, and celebrated over 15,000 individual minors and young adults through over 500,000 service contacts. They provide in-person and online programs to more LGBTQ+ youth than any other organization in the Northwestern United States. Lambert House’s programs and services are evidence-based and informed by Positive Youth Development Theory and Minority Stress Theory. Their work spans eight categories: 1) Social Connection, Peer Support, Resilience, and Self-Esteem Building; 2) Family Success, Bullying Resistance and School Retention; 3) Mentoring; 4) Homeless Services including Meals, Clothing, Personal Hygiene Items, and LGBTQ-Competent Housing, Medical, and Mental Health Referrals; 5) HIV and STI Prevention Education, and Violence Prevention through Healthy Relationships Education; 6) Culture, Sports, and Outdoor Recreation; 7) Youth Leadership, Workplace Skills Development, and Academic Internships, and; 8) Systems Advocacy and Training for Professionals (from 30 countries to date).
Harriet Hancock Center
1108 Woodrow Street
Columbia, SC 29205
(803) 771-7713
Founded in 1993, HHC provides a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community. They host regular social groups, peer-support groups for different communities, Youth OUTLOUD for 6th-12th grade students, and special events. They also provide the Legal Name & Gender Marker Change Program (limited to SC residents).
Black Educated Lesbians
admin@blackeducatedlesbians.com
Black Educated Lesbians (BEL) is a global nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering community, empowerment, and professional growth for Black lesbians. Established in 2014 and officially recognized as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, BEL provides mentorship, economic development, leadership training, and social advocacy to support Black queer women worldwide.
Camp Lost Boys
Many of trans guys never had the opportunity to experience a boyhood summer camp. It’s their aim that you find that missing piece at Camp Lost Boys. They provide a retreat away from the stress and the struggles of your day-to-day life. They aim to focus on self-empowerment and self-esteem building through the physical and mental activities of a traditional summer camp experience. Come climb ropes, zip line, try archery, hike mountains, go mountain biking, enjoy the lake and the pool, engage in facilitated fireside chats, new friends and so much more! They hope you let down your guard and get in touch with yourself, nature, and your community. Their camp is for any guy who self-identifies as a man of trans experience and is over the age of 18. This camp is largely focused on physical activities and is a dedicated place where we can celebrate male identities in a safe, fun, and rugged outdoor setting.
Charleston Black Pride
(718) 807-8599
blackpridecharleston@gmail.com
The mission of Charleston Black Pride is to create opportunities that educate, inspire, improve, and celebrate the experiences of LGBTQIA people of color. They support and provide an educational and social environment through events and forums that bring awareness, visibility and create safe spaces to expose the multifaceted lives of LGBTQIA people of color.
Charleston Pride
info@charlestonpride.org
Charleston Pride’s mission is to promote the visibility of the LGBTQ community by educating society, honoring our heritage, advocating for our culture, and celebrating our diverse society. Their purpose is to highlight the uniqueness and diversity of our community through distinct events throughout the year promoting our history and culture, including the annual Charleston Pride Parade and Festival
Grand Strand Pride
Myrtle Beach, SC
terry@grandstrandpride.com
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina area Pride Festival, business guild and educational programming.
Lowcountry Pride
Lowcountry Pride is a 501(c)(3) serving the Lowcountry region of South Carolina. Our co-chair is a licensed therapist who runs support groups through Pride for parents of LGBTQ+ children and young adults in transition. We have a book club, monthly social events, and an annual Pride celebration. We also run educational panels within our community and offer various forms of support to members of the LGBTQ+ community in the Lowcountry.
Palmetto Prime
primetimerscharleston@yahoo.com
Palmetto Prime ( Formerly: The Prime Timers of Charleston SC) is a social organization of older gay or bisexual men. Their members are men who choose to have their lives enriched by the diverse activities in which our members engage. No single definition can describe Palmetto Prime members. They come from all walks of life. One thing is true of all Palmetto Prime members, we enjoy the opportunities and friendships that develop in our Chapter.
Palmetto Prime of Charleston, SC is a chapter of the Prime Timers Worldwide (PTWW) organization. They welcome members from other chapters to visit us.
KelliGregg Travel
(917) 522-0985
Welcome to KelliGregg Travel (formerly: R Family Vacations) where “everyone is welcome” and there is “something for everyone”! They are the first travel company to create vacations for LGBT families and their friends. KelliGregg Travel began this exciting journey with our inaugural cruise in 2004. Since then, more than 20,000 guests have traveled with us around the world. They have now expanded to offer some LGBT adult-only options.
SAGE – Advocacy Services for LGBT Elders
305 7th Avenue 15th Floor
New York, NY 10001
(212) 741-2247
SAGE is the country’s largest and oldest organization dedicated to improving the lives of LGBT older people. Founded in 1978 and headquartered in New York City, SAGE is a national organization that offers supportive services and consumer resources to LGBT older people and their caregivers. SAGE National LGBT Elder Hotline: 877-360-LGBT (5428)
SC Black Pride (SCBP)
The mission of the South Carolina Black Pride Inc. (SCBP), is to unify and celebrate the diversity, creativity, And beauty Of South Carolina’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, queer, and non-gender conforming (LGBTQ) communities of color and their supporters, in order to empower and promote the human rights of all families and communities.
SC Pride
1108 Woodrow Street
Columbia, SC 29205
info@scpride.org
South Carolina Pride Movement, located in Columbia, SC, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the needs of the LGBTQ+ community and its partners through educational events, entertainment, community outreach, and celebrations of diversity throughout the year. SC Pride produces each year Famously Hot SC Pride Festival, Get Lit Nighttime Parade & Concert, OutFest Columbia, and more. The Pride Festival, held in October each year on Main Street, Columbia, SC is one of the largest outdoor festivals in the city and the largest LGBT event in the state.
Takeover Charleston
(843) 364-3774
A fun group of people who meet approximately once a month for a good time. Takeover is a way for Charleston’s LGBTQ community to socialize together all over Charleston. Everyone is always welcome.
T-Time Myrtle Beach
(910) 377-5265
support@t-timemyrtlebeach.org
T-Time Myrtle Beach is an open Transgender support group and discussion forum in Myrtle Beach, SC. They also aim to promote a safe environment within which everyone can grow and realize their authentic self.
Upstate Pride SC
Upstate SCUpstate Pride SC empowers people of all gender expressions and sexual identities in the Upstate of South Carolina by promoting acceptance through education, advocacy, and networking.