5 Things to Know - 7/22/25
1. Splash For Equality - THIS SATURDAY!
You’re invited to our summer social of the season: Splash for Equality 🌊🏳️🌈
We’re taking over the pool at Starlight Motor Inn in North Charleston on Saturday, August 9 from 2–6 PM for music, fun, and fierce performances.
🎧 Featuring DJ Trevor D.
💄 Drag shows by Crystal Gem and Carmella Monet Monroe
🍹 Food, drinks, and a custom cocktail/mocktail menu available for purchase (or pack your favorite snacks!)
Let’s float, dance, and connect in simple LGBTQ+ joy—because community care can look like poolside relaxation too. Wear your most comfortable swimming or poolside attire and favorite SPF.
Worried about uninvited showers? No worries! Our rain plan is ready to go with the same great entertainment and activities in Starlight's newly renovated pool house.
Come on out and say "sashay away" to summer with us and all your friends, this Saturday, August 9th!
2. Help Us Document AFFA's History
As we prepare to launch our brand-new website, we’re building a digital history page—and we need your help! From Pride parades to protests, community meetings to personal milestones, we want to archive the moments that made a difference.
Do you have:
Memories of an AFFA event that left an impact?
Photos from marches, rallies, or celebrations?
Flyers, press clippings, or other keepsakes?
📩 Please email your contributions to Jensen@AFFA-SC.org with the subject line "Memories". We can’t wait to honor our collective story, together.
3. Thanks to Soda City
AFFA was so excited to welcome American Teenager author Nico Lang for a reading, Q&A, and book signing on Thursday, July 24 at Queer Haven Books.
This special event featured:
✨ A short reading from American Teenager
✨ A moderated Q&A led by Tayler Simon (Liberation is Lit) and Baker Rogers (Queer Haven Books)
✨ A beautiful conversation on empowering trans kids in our lives and communities
Harriet Hancock Center and Free Mom Hugs were on hand with AFFA to provide resources and support. We'd like to extend our deepest thanks to our partners and patrons of this event. Conversations like these are crucial to the health and happiness of one of our most targeted demographics, trans kids and teenagers.
If you haven't snagged a copy for your bookshelf, you can order today from Liberation is Lit or Queer Haven Books.
4. We're Taking Legal Action Against Anti-Trans School Policies
A provision in South Carolina’s new state budget now mandates that public school students must use restrooms and locker rooms according to the gender assigned on their birth certificate—not their gender identity. This harmful rule targets transgender and nonbinary students and overrides local school district policies that have long supported inclusion.
AFFA has joined a legal challenge to fight back. Alongside a courageous Lowcountry middle school student and a legal team, we’ve filed a federal lawsuit against this discriminatory provision.
This work is personal. This work is urgent. And we’ll keep standing up for LGBTQ+ youth across South Carolina.
Stay tuned as the case progresses. Your support powers this fight.
5. We're Looking for New Board Members!
AFFA is seeking new members to join our Board of Directors as we grow and deepen our work across South Carolina. If you’re passionate about LGBTQ+ justice, have skills or lived experience to contribute, and want to help shape the future of our organization—we’d love to hear from you!
We especially welcome people of color, trans and nonbinary folks, youth and young adults, faith leaders, and those with nonprofit, legal, organizing, or fundraising experience.
👉 Apply here to join AFFA's Board
(Applications reviewed on a rolling basis)
