Pamela's SC Pride Fundraiser

For more than 35 years, the South Carolina Pride Movement has been creating space: space to gather, to celebrate, to be visible, and to remind each other that we belong here.

Our story started in 1989, just after Hurricane Hugo, at a simple picnic on Dreher Island. What began as a conversation among community members quickly turned into something much bigger. Less than a year later, in June of 1990, 2,000 people marched down Main Street in Columbia for the state’s first Pride March and Rally. For many, it was the first time they felt seen in such a public, powerful way.

That moment didn’t just make history. It built momentum. Pride spread to other cities across the region, and over the years, it has continued to grow and evolve. Through it all, one thing has stayed the same: the need for connection, visibility, and community.

Today, we carry that same spirit forward. The South Carolina Pride Movement creates intentional programming and partnerships that uplift queer and trans people across our state. Whether it’s a large-scale celebration or a smaller moment of connection, our work is about making sure people feel supported, welcomed, and not alone.

When you donate, you’re helping create spaces where someone can show up as themselves, maybe for the first time. You’re helping sustain a movement that started with 2,000 people marching and continues today because we keep showing up for each other.

If you believe in a South Carolina where everyone belongs, we invite you to be part of this work. Because Pride isn’t just something we celebrate, it’s something we build together.