5 Things to Know - 11/19/25
1. Have a love story you think the world should know about?
Our team wants to hear from you! 2025 marks 10 years of marriage equality, and we are looking to highlight stories from our community to celebrate this watershed moment. Follow this link to submit your love story (and photos!) to share with the AFFA community. You don't have to be married to submit your story- domestic partners, fiancées, and significant others are all welcome! Our focus is celebrating LOVE.
The form should take around 10 minutes to complete.
2. Tomorrow is Trans Day of Remembrance
Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) began in 1999, founded by activist Gwendolyn Ann Smith to honor the memory of Rita Hester, a Black trans woman whose murder highlighted the ongoing violence faced by trans people. Since then, TDOR, observed every November 20th, has grown into a global day of reflection, mourning, and commitment to justice, honoring all trans lives lost to anti-trans violence.
To our trans community: you are seen, valued, and essential. Your presence strengthens our community, and we stand with you today and every day.
There are multiple opportunities to engage with community and celebrate our trans family this week, including:
Virtual, Thursday, November 20, 6PM - Give Them Their Flowers Vigil (Sign up here)
Columbia, Thursday, November 20, 6PM - TDOR Vigil at the SC Statehouse
North Charleston, Saturday, November 22 - Transgiving and TDOR Potluck at the We Are Family Community Center (Sign up here)
3. Mark Your Calendars for AFFA Gala 2026!
The moment you have been waiting for is here! The 2026 AFFA Gala is officially around the corner. Step into a night of elegance and intrigue with 400+ fellow supporters as we honor AFFA's achievements and invest in the fight for full equality and acceptance for LGBTQ+ South Carolinians.
The evening will feature a sparkling cocktail reception, thrilling silent and live auctions, a lavish seated dinner, and dancing that carries late into the evening.
Be part of a night our community will remember.
Saturday, March 14th, 2026
Doors Open 6:30 PM
Want to be a part of making this event happen? Become an AFFA Gala Sponsor! More than an opportunity for visibility, sponsorship is a partnership that strengthens the movement for LGBTQ+ equality in South Carolina. For more details, visit our event sponsorship page.
4. Check out the Community Calendar!
There are so many wonderful events happening across South Carolina over the next few weeks. Make sure you don’t miss what’s happening near you!
Columbia, Friday, November 21 - Queer Collective Pajama Party at the Harriet Hancock Center
North Charleston, Saturday, November 29 - Clothing Swap at Closet Case Thrift Store
Cayce, Tuesday, December 9 - LGBTQ+ Climb Night at Capital Climbing
and so many more!
Check out our community calendar at www.affa-sc.org/calendar for more details on events throughout the state!
5. Holiday Feelings Can be Complicated
We recognize that the holiday season brings up mixed emotions for many of us. Figuring out how to hold joy and celebration alongside more complicated feelings of grief, hurt, anxiety and more can be both mentally and physically taxing. We have collected state-wide resources in a resource hub on our website for your use.
Please don’t walk through a difficult season alone, there is support available for you!
