June is Pride Month 🏳️‍🌈

Unity: A Call To Action hosted by Upstate Pride SC

Unity: A Call To Action hosted by Upstate Pride SC | Photo by @stingleee

Table of Contents

#DYK that June is Pride Month nationwide? 🏳️‍🌈

Pride Month provides those who identify as LGBTQ+ and their allies the opportunity to protest peacefully + raise awareness about the issues this community is facing. It also, in part, commemorates the Stonewall Uprising that happened in 1969.

If you’re looking to educate yourself about LGBTQ+ issues, learning about Stonewall is a good place to start. But there’s a lot more to take in about LGBTQ+ history, discrimination, rights, and the evolution of the cultural acceptance and understanding of LGBTQ+ people.

Whether you identify as LGBTQ+ or not, we’ve put together some resources you can utilize to further support these members of our community + learn more.

Unity: A Call To Action hosted by Upstate Pride SC

Unity: A Call To Action hosted by Upstate Pride SC | Photo by @stingleee

LGBTQ+ owned business to support in Greenville

Modal (a modern hostel coming to Augusta Road this year)

Savereign (a boutique plant store in the Village of West Greenville)

Bar Margaret (restaurant in the Village of West Greenville)

Oak & Honey (“local fare + craft cocktails”)

Uptown Company (“creative catering, from table to tap”)

Skyfish Design (“imaginative yet down-to-earth interiors + organization”)

My PR Lab (a public relations + event management firm)

Billiam Jeans is also offering Pride masks for $25. There are six color variations to choose from.

Additionally, you can look for #BraveTheRainbow window clings at your fav local businesses as a show of public support for the LGBTQ+ community. Are you a local business owner that wants to be a part of this initiative? Click here to email Upstate Pride SC to find out how you can participate.

Reading lists from M. Judson Booksellers

M. Judson Booksellers has “LGBTQ - Pride Month Reads” reading lists for both adults + young adults that aim to provide dialogue, stories + conversations about the LGBTQ+ community and social justice. Click here to shop these reads on Bookshop or call (864) 603-2412 to see if they have the book you’re interested in in-stock.

Upcoming Events

Typical Pride Month celebrations have looked a little different this year because of COVID-19, but here are a few things to put on your calendar.

Upstate Pride SC will host their 12th annual march + festival in November this year.

National HIV Testing Day is June 27. In observance of this day, the New Horizon Family Health Services’ Ryan White Program team is holding an HIV Education & Prevention Day that is open to the community on Friday (June 26) from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at their office on Faris Road.

Although temporarily cancelled, be on the lookout for a future Pride on the Patio event hosted by UP on the Roof.

○ Follow Upstate Pride SC on Instagram for updated weekly virtual events + their Queer Coffee and Conversation Series.

Other Resources

○ Click here for a list of churches in the Upstate who are welcoming to members of the LGBTQ+ community.

○ Click here for a list of state + national resources and here for local resources provided by Upstate Pride SC for the LGBTQ+ community.

○ Click here to donate to or here to get involved with Upstate Pride SC.

This is by no means a comprehensive guide to LGBTQ+ resources in our community. We are still listening + learning and working to facilitate positive conversations about our diverse and vibrant community. Did we miss something? Have questions? Let us know here.

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