Grand Opening Of First Dedicated LGBTQI+ Space In The Lowcountry – Saturday, August 10, 2019

On Saturday, August 10, 2019, AFFA, Charleston Pride and We Are Family will celebrate the grand opening of the first – and only – dedicated LGBTQI+ office, retail and community space in the Lowcountry, located at 1801 Reynolds Ave, North Charleston, SC.

The celebration will begin at 4:00pm with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 5:00pm, and conclude at 7:00pm. The event is free and open to the public, and will feature family-friendly indoor and outdoor activities, Semilla and Street Bird food trucks, and live entertainment with Mix 95.9. 

“Having three of Charleston’s LGBTQI+ organizations in one location is a tremendous accomplishment,” said Nijeeah Richardson, Executive Director of We Are Family. “Together, with Alliance For Full Acceptance and Charleston Pride, we are creating visibility and accessibility for and with our communities in ways that Charleston has never experienced before.”

We Are Family (WAF) began as a grassroots organization developed by the father of a gay son in 1995. Over the past 24 years, the organization has grown its scope of services, community partnerships, and impact, with constant input from and leadership by the youth and young adults it serves. 

“We know that our local LGBTQI+ organizations have even greater impact in the community when we work together, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to also be a part of the vibrant Reynolds Avenue Area Merchants Association, where we can invest in this community and be on the leading edge of revitalization efforts in the area,” said Chase Glenn, Executive Director of AFFA.

Founded in 1998, The Alliance For Full Acceptance (AFFA) has worked with local municipalities to pass LGBTQI+ protections, conducts diversity and inclusion trainings with law enforcement, healthcare providers and business leaders, and runs an annual media campaign that creates visibility around issues affecting the LGBTQI+ community.

“The possibilities ahead for our organizations and for our community are endless,” said Tony Williams, Chair & Chief Executive Officer of Charleston Pride. “Together, we’ll be able to accomplish even more in one central location and build a stronger, more vibrant LGBTQI+ community in the Lowcountry.”

Celebrating its 10th Anniversary in 2019, Charleston Pride hosts events throughout the year to highlight the uniqueness and diversity of the LGBTQI+ community, including the annual Charleston Pride Parade and Festival. The 2019 Charleston Pride Week kicks off September 7 with 19 different community-based events throughout the week, culminating with the Pride Festival on September 14 featuring headliner Todrick Hall.

For the latest information on the grand opening, please visit the Facebook event page.

Source: Charleston Chronicle