Tell SC Arts Commission: Protect the Arts, Stop Discrimination Against LGBTQ+ Communities

We're taking action today. You can make an immediate impact by emailing the South Carolina Arts Commission board members who voted NO on funding for the Greenville Gay Men's Chorus and Proud Mary Theatre Company.

As organizations dedicated to serving LGBTQ+ people in South Carolina, AFFA and AFFA Action are extremely disheartened to hear the decision of The South Carolina Arts Commission to deny funding to the Greenville Gay Men's Chorus and Proud Mary Theatre Company, despite the outpouring of public support for these organizations and their programs.

Greenville Gay Men's Chorus and Proud Mary Theatre Company are the only two organizations out of more than 180 to be denied funding. The board voted 5-3 to reject their grants—the same grants that had already been recommended for approval through the Commission's own rigorous review process.

When LGBTQ+ organizations are denied funding for projects that have historically received public support, that decision is, on its face, extremely discriminatory and demands serious scrutiny.

Today, and every day, we join our community members in condemning all forms of discrimination, and demand that LGBTQ+ organizations receive the same fair treatment, consideration, and access to public resources as any other organization.

Our state entities have a responsibility to serve all South Carolinians regardless of the sexual orientations, gender identities, race, religion, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law that an organization represents.

We stand with the Greenville Gay Men's Chorus, Proud Mary Theatre Company, and LGBTQ+ organizations across South Carolina. There is no place for discrimination in our state institutions.

Take immediate action now. We're addressing the five commissioners who voted against this funding:

- Bhavna Vasudeva

- Danielle Thompson

- Linda C. Stern

- Jessica Rourke

- Russell "Rip" Parks

Let them know we are watching how they use our tax dollars and will not stand for community leaders discriminating against SC citizens on our own dimes. Demand that they disburse funding with equity in all future cycles.

Every message sends a clear signal: our community is watching, and we will not stay silent while our institutions discriminate.