Unitarian Universalist Church of Spartanburg

Website: uucs.org
Address: 210 Henry Place, Spartanburg, SC 29306
Phone: (864) 585-9230

LGBTQ Policy:

• LGBTQ individuals can become members: Yes

• LGBTQ individuals can serve in leadership roles: Yes

• LGBTQ individuals can take part in or have a role in all services/activities/meetings: Yes

• There are special services/activities/programs for LGBTQ persons: Yes

• Congregation or denomination will ordain LGBTQ individuals: Yes

• LGBTQ couples can be married in the congregation or by the organization: Yes

• LGBTQ persons can have funeral or burial services in the congregation: Yes

• Congregation or organization fully accepts and embraces transgender individuals: Yes

• Partners or spouses of LGBTQ persons are recognized, included, and acknowledged: Yes

Activities:

• Worship Sundays onsite and online at 11 a.m.

Community Involvement:

• Upstate Pride was started at UUCS

• Regular collaboration with Upstate Pride, leading Interfaith Services at Black Pride in Greenville and Upstate Pride March & Festival in Spartanburg

• Home base of Proud Mary Theatre Company, SC’s only LGBTQ+ theatre group

• Fiscal sponsor of LGBTQ Theologies

Second Presbyterian Church

Website: 2ndpc.org
Address: 342 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 29403
Phone: (843) 723-9237

LGBTQ Policy:

• LGBTQ individuals can become members: Yes

• LGBTQ individuals can serve in leadership roles: Yes

• LGBTQ individuals can take part in or have a role in all services/activities/meetings: Yes

• Special services/activities/programs for LGBTQ persons: Yes

• Congregation or denomination will ordain LGBTQ individuals: Yes

• LGBTQ couples can be married in the congregation or by the organization: Yes

• LGBTQ persons can have funeral or burial services in the congregation: Yes

• Congregation or organization fully accepts and embraces transgender individuals: Yes

• Partners or spouses of LGBTQ persons are recognized, included, and acknowledged: Yes

Activities:

• Worship Sundays at 10:30 a.m.

• Communion on first Sunday of every month

• Church nursery available Sundays at 10:00 a.m.

Community Involvement:

• Annual participation in Charleston Pride March with a float and parade contingency (20–30 marchers including allies)

Providence Church

Website: providencecharleston.org
Address: 294 Seven Farms Drive, Daniel Island, Charleston, SC 29492
Email: info@providencecharleston.org
Phone: (843) 971-5275

Notes:

• Welcome and affirming worship and religious ministries

Parkside Church

Website: parksidechs.com
Address: 45 Moultrie Street, Charleston, SC 29403
Phone: (843) 817-8900

LGBTQ Policy:

• LGBTQ individuals can become members: Yes

• LGBTQ individuals can serve in leadership roles: Yes

• LGBTQ individuals can participate in all services/activities/meetings: Yes

• Special services/activities/programs for LGBTQ persons: Yes

• Congregation will ordain LGBTQ individuals: Yes

• LGBTQ couples can be married by the congregation: Yes

• LGBTQ persons can have funeral/burial services: Yes

• Fully accepts and embraces transgender individuals: Yes

• Partners/spouses of LGBTQ persons are recognized and included: Yes

Activities:

• 10:30 a.m. Sunday worship, online and in-person

• Midweek community groups and Bible studies

Community Involvement:

• Has participated in Charleston Pride

Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim (KKBE)

Website: kkbe.org
Address: 90 Hassell Street, Charleston, SC 29401
Email: shalom@kkbe.org
Phone: (843) 723-1090

LGBTQ Inclusion:

• LGBTQ individuals can become members: Yes

• LGBTQ individuals can serve in leadership roles: Yes

• LGBTQ individuals can participate in all services/activities/meetings: Yes

• Special services/activities/programs for LGBTQ persons: Yes

• Congregation will ordain LGBTQ individuals: Yes

• LGBTQ couples can be married by the congregation: Yes

• LGBTQ persons can have funeral/burial services: Yes

• Fully accepts and embraces transgender individuals: Yes

• Partners/spouses of LGBTQ persons are recognized and included: Yes

Activities:

• Religious services for Sabbath and Jewish holidays

• Religious school

• Hebrew school

• Adult education, Brotherhood, Sisterhood

• Interfaith outreach, special events

Community Involvement:

• Clergy represent congregation at community events

• Lead and participate in annual LGBT interfaith Pride service and other panels/events

Metropolitan Community Church of Charleston

Website: mcccharleston.com
Address: 7860 Dorchester Road, North Charleston, SC 29418
Email: mcccharleston@gmail.com
Phone: (843) 760-6114

LGBTQ Inclusion:

• LGBTQ individuals can become members: Yes

• LGBTQ individuals can serve in leadership roles: Yes

• LGBTQ individuals can participate in all services/activities/meetings: Yes

• Special services/activities/programs for LGBTQ persons: Yes

• Congregation will ordain LGBTQ individuals: Yes

• LGBTQ couples can be married by the congregation: Yes

• LGBTQ persons can have funeral/burial services: Yes

• Fully accepts and embraces transgender individuals: Yes

• Partners/spouses of LGBTQ persons are recognized and included: Yes

Activities:

• Worship Sundays online and onsite at 10:30 a.m.

• Community Foodbank, Wednesdays 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

• Social gatherings Thursdays at 7 p.m.

• Studies Tuesdays at 7 p.m. (currently on Zoom)

• Facebook page and Prayer Request page

Community Involvement:

• Active participant in Charleston Pride

• Participation in AFFA teams and fundraisers

• Primarily LGBTQ+ members

North Charleston United Methodist Church

Website: http://www.northcharlestonumc.com/
Address: 1125 E Montague Ave, North Charleston, SC, 29405
Email: connect@northcharlestonumc.org
Phone: (843) 744-6669

LGBTQ Policy:

• LGBTQ individuals can become members: Yes

• LGBTQ individuals can serve in leadership roles: Yes

• LGBTQ individuals can take part in or have a role in all services/activities/meetings: Yes

• There are special services/activities/programs for LGBTQ persons: No

• Congregation or denomination will ordain LGBTQ individuals: No

• LGBTQ couples can be married in the congregation or by the organization: No

• LGBTQ persons can have funeral or burial services in the congregation: Yes

• Congregation or organization fully accepts and embraces transgender individuals: Yes

• Partners or spouses of LGBTQ persons are recognized, included, and acknowledged: Yes

Pastor's Note:
We have a growing LGBTQ community within the church and are currently exploring what services/activities/programs are desired or needed. Much to our dismay and pain, the UMC has chosen not to recognize the gifts and callings of LGBTQ people through ordination. But we are a congregation actively against the current stance and are working to change it. The church is technically not allowed to marry LGBTQ people according to our denomination's stance. We wholeheartedly disagree. Though we have not performed or participated in a wedding on campus, it is not out of the question if a family/couple has asked.

Saint Bonaventure Parish

Website: https://thegoodlifechurch.org/
Address: 405 Sigma Dr, Summerville, SC, 29486
Email: saintbonaventureparishsc@gmail.com
Phone: (843) 901-4401

LGBTQ Policy:

• LGBTQ individuals can become members: Yes

• LGBTQ individuals can serve in leadership roles: Yes

• LGBTQ individuals can take part in or have a role in all services/activities/meetings: Yes

• There are special services/activities/programs for LGBTQ persons: Yes

• Congregation or denomination will ordain LGBTQ individuals: Yes

• LGBTQ couples can be married in the congregation or by the organization: Yes

• LGBTQ persons can have funeral or burial services in the congregation: Yes

• Congregation or organization fully accepts and embraces transgender individuals: Yes

• Partners or spouses of LGBTQ persons are recognized, included, and acknowledged: Yes

Services:

• Mass - Saturdays 4:30pm Vigil

• Mass - Sundays 9:30am & 11:15am (family Mass)

Community Involvement:

• Active participation in Charleston Pride

St. Stephen's Episcopal Church

Website: https://ststephenschs.com/
Address: 67 Anson Street, Charleston, SC, 29401
Phone: (843) 723-8818

LGBTQ Policy:

• LGBTQ individuals can become members: Yes

• LGBTQ individuals can serve in leadership roles: Yes

• LGBTQ individuals can take part in or have a role in all services/activities/meetings: Yes

• There are special services/activities/programs for LGBTQ persons: Yes

• Congregation or denomination will ordain LGBTQ individuals: Yes

• LGBTQ couples can be married in the congregation or by the organization: Yes

• LGBTQ persons can have funeral or burial services in the congregation: Yes

• Congregation or organization fully accepts and embraces transgender individuals: Yes

• Partners or spouses of LGBTQ persons are recognized, included, and acknowledged: Yes

Services:

• Sunday morning worship at 8 a.m. and 11 a.m.

• Online worship and programming only via YouTube channel (link on website)

Community Involvement:

• Pride committee

• Pride parade

• AFFA event participants

Unitarian Church in Charleston

Website: https://www.charlestonuu.org/
Address: 4 Archdale Street, Charleston, SC, 29401
Email: office@charlestonuu.org
Phone: (843) 723-4617

LGBTQ Policy:

• LGBTQ individuals can become members: Yes

• LGBTQ individuals can serve in leadership roles: Yes

• LGBTQ individuals can take part in or have a role in all services/activities/meetings: Yes

• There are special services/activities/programs for LGBTQ persons: Yes

• Congregation or denomination will ordain LGBTQ individuals: Yes

• LGBTQ couples can be married in the congregation or by the organization: Yes

• LGBTQ persons can have funeral or burial services in the congregation: Yes

• Congregation or organization fully accepts and embraces transgender individuals: Yes

• Partners or spouses of LGBTQ persons are recognized, included, and acknowledged: Yes

Services:

• Sunday at 11:00 a.m. (September through mid-June)

• 10:00 a.m. in the summer

Community Involvement:

• Pre-pride party

• AFFA support groups

• World AIDS Day Remembrance Ceremony

• Transgender Day Remembrance Ceremony

• Same sex marriages

Unity of Charleston

Website: https://www.unitycharleston.org/
Address: 2535 Leeds Ave, Charleston, SC, 29405
Phone: (843) 566-0600

LGBTQ Policy:

• LGBTQ individuals can become members: Yes

• LGBTQ individuals can serve in leadership roles: Yes

• LGBTQ individuals can take part in or have a role in all services/activities/meetings: Yes

• There are special services/activities/programs for LGBTQ persons: Yes

• Congregation or denomination will ordain LGBTQ individuals: Yes

• LGBTQ couples can be married in the congregation or by the organization: Yes

• LGBTQ persons can have funeral or burial services in the congregation: Yes

• Congregation or organization fully accepts and embraces transgender individuals: Yes

• Partners or spouses of LGBTQ persons are recognized, included, and acknowledged: Yes

Services:

• Sunday Worship at 10:30 a.m.

Community Involvement:

• Pride Parade participant

• AFFA event supporter

Circular Congregational Church

Website: https://www.circularchurch.org/
Address: 150 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC, 29401
Email: webmaster@circularchurch.org
Phone: (843) 577-6400

LGBTQ Policy:

• LGBTQ individuals can become members: Yes

• LGBTQ individuals can serve in leadership roles: Yes

• LGBTQ individuals can take part in or have a role in all services/activities/meetings: Yes

• There are special services/activities/programs for LGBTQ persons: No

• Congregation or denomination will ordain LGBTQ individuals: Yes

• LGBTQ couples can be married in the congregation or by the organization: Yes

• LGBTQ persons can have funeral or burial services in the congregation: Yes

• Congregation or organization fully accepts and embraces transgender individuals: Yes

• Partners or spouses of LGBTQ persons are recognized, included, and acknowledged: Yes

Services:

• Sunday Worship: 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. services (after Labor Day until Memorial Day)

• Summer Sunday Worship: 10:00 a.m. (Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend)

• Jazz Vespers: 6:00 p.m. on the 2nd Sunday of each month

Community Involvement:

• Members have participated in the Charleston Pride parade for many years

• Hosted Charleston’s first Interfaith Pride Worship Service

Free Mom Hugs

Website: https://freemomhugs.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=page.viewpage&pageid=4
Location: South Carolina
Contact: SCLeaders@FreeMomHugs.org
Description: Works to empower celebration of the LGBTQIA+ community, embracing people of all faiths, backgrounds, genders, and orientations. They provide visibility, conversation, education, and resources aimed at healing broken family relationships. Active groups in Midlands, Upstate, and Lowcountry.

Piedmont Care

Website: https://www.piedmontcare.org/
Address: 101 North Pine Street, Suite 200, Spartanburg,  SC  29302
Phone: (864) 582-7773
Notable: Piedmont Care provides services for people living with HIV in Spartanburg, Cherokee, and Union Counties in South Carolina. Services include case management, medical care, mental health support, and much more.
Medical Care Direct Line: (864) 699-9581

SC United for Justice and Equality

Website: https://www.southcarolinaunited.org/
Description: Advocates for legislation protecting LGBTQ+ people in SC and opposes anti-LGBTQ+ laws. Works on intersecting social justice issues including racial justice, reproductive justice, voting rights, and healthcare access. Builds political power through rapid response and long-term organizing.

Upstate SC LGBT+ Chamber

Website: https://upstatelgbt.org/
Address: Upstate, SC
Description: As the first and only LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce in the state of South Carolina, they are LGBT+ professionals and allies who understand that diversity, equality, and economic empowerment are vital for any healthy community. They’re here to help you connect with businesses that enhance your life and to help those businesses grow. From creating connections and professional development opportunities to providing resources and advocacy, our Chamber is here to support you. They provide specific and comprehensive legal and business resources, create collaborative opportunities for connection & learning, and proactively stand up for economic, social, and structural change to positively impact our community.

ACLU-SC

Website: http://aclusc.org/en
Email: info@aclusc.org
Phone: (803) 828-3161
Practice: American Civil Liberties Union of South Carolina
Description: The ACLU of South Carolina envisions a just South Carolina where We the People means all of us. They advocate, litigate, educate, and mobilize to defend and advance the civil rights and civil liberties of all South Carolinians, representing clients free of charge, advocating at the State House, and building community movements.