Who We Are
Advocating for LGBTQ+ South Carolinians Since 1998
AFFA (Alliance for Full Acceptance) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a South Carolina where all LGBTQ+ people are respected, safe, and free to thrive. We work across the state to provide LGBTQ+ education, advocacy, and community engagement opportunities.
As a trusted leader in the South Carolina LGBTQ+ movement for over 25 years, we champion equal rights, challenge stigma, and foster connection through bold, compassionate action.
Our History
In Charleston, our rich storytelling tradition is rooted in secrets, silences, and people hidden in shadow. We live, work, and raise families in a city of contradictions. Where gracious hospitality meets systemic exclusion, and breathtaking beauty shares space with punishing heat.
To be lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender in Charleston in 1998 was to be closeted, denied, and unseen.
That is, until a group of determined lesbian and gay citizens came together around a powerful idea - that the success of our shared future depends not just on reconciling these cultural contradictions, but on creating a new narrative—one rooted in equality, acceptance, and collective strength.
That vision became the Alliance for Full Acceptance (AFFA).
Founded in 1998 and officially incorporated as a 501(c)(3) in 2000, AFFA began as a grassroots organization committed to public education, policy change, and advocacy for LGBTQ+ people in the Charleston region. From local nondiscrimination ordinances to statewide advocacy campaigns, from support programs to leadership development, AFFA has grown into a vital force for progress across South Carolina.
Vision
A South Carolina where LGBTQ+ people possess equal rights and thrive in an environment that fosters safety, freedom, and holistic well-being.
Mission
AFFA empowers LGBTQ+ individuals throughout South Carolina by championing their rights, fostering understanding through education, and building inclusive communities through meaningful engagement and strategic advocacy.
Purpose
We safeguard and advance LGBTQ+ rights by:
Providing trustworthy training and educational programs
Amplifying our voices through targeted media campaigns
Building solidarity through community-centered engagement
Board of Directors
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![Headshot of a smiling man with short hair, a beard, and wearing a dark sweater against a blue background.]()
Ronald Patane
President
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![Close-up photo of a smiling man wearing a navy Nike cap and a blue jacket outdoors.]()
Josh Hollington
Treasurer
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![A woman with shoulder-length dark brown hair and bangs, wearing a sleeveless maroon top, smiling in front of a plain light-colored wall.]()
Angie Quirk-Garvan
Secretary
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![A smiling man dressed as a doctor wearing a white coat and stethoscope outdoors with a police vehicle in the background.]()
Jonah Burrell
Board Member
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![A man with glasses, a beard, and short gray hair smiling, wearing a dark suit and a checkered shirt in an indoor setting.]()
Christian Bryant
Board Member
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![A close-up of a man with short hair, wearing a white shirt and light blue tie, resting his chin on his hand, in an office with framed certificates on the wall.]()
Kenneth Murphy
Board Member
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How We’re Making a Difference
With a small, dedicated staff and a growing statewide presence, AFFA:
Serves LGBTQ+ individuals and allies in all regions of South Carolina
Offers cultural competency training to schools, workplaces, and healthcare providers
Provides small grants to LGBTQ+ initiatives and community partners
Builds coalitions to address legislative threats and promote inclusive policies
Hosts public education events and social gatherings that uplift and celebrate queer joy
Want more information? Check out our impact here.
Meet the Team
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Ashley Peele
Executive Director
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Jensen S.
Community Impact & Events Manager
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Join the Movement
We can’t do this without you. Whether you're attending a training, making a donation, volunteering at an event, or applying to our board, you're helping build a stronger, more inclusive South Carolina.
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Bring your voice to the table. Our board members are community leaders, advocates, and allies who help guide AFFA’s vision, strategy, and sustainability. We're seeking individuals with lived experience, diverse backgrounds, and a commitment to LGBTQ+ equity.
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From helping out at Pride to supporting events like Queer AFFAir or our annual Gala, volunteers make AFFA’s work possible. Whether you’ve got five hours or five minutes, there’s a place for you to pitch in.
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Join our small but mighty team! When positions become available, we seek passionate professionals dedicated to LGBTQ+ rights and community care. Check here for any open roles.