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crossposted on Holy Bullies and Headless Monsters
The upcoming SC Pride festival is what everyone is talking about in Columbia and a key move by the organization coordinating the festival is a good reason why:
Displaying a multitude of colors, the rainbow flag is now hanging from lamp posts on Main and Gervais Streets. The brightly colored banner is a sign of diversity and acceptance for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender citizens.“It definitely will promote the event, but I also hope it makes people realize that there is a strong LGBT community that exists in Columbia,” said Vice President of Center Operations Santi Thompson with the SC Pride Movement.
Thompson adds that for the first time in the organization's 21 year history, the rainbow flags will fly in downtown Columbia in celebration of this weekend's SC Pride Parade and Festival.
The flags not only had to be approved by the City of Columbia, but the organization also had to get clearance from businesses along the two streets.
“I think the flags being flown on Main Street and Gervais Street make people excited and will help them realize it’s not as backwards as we think,” said Thompson.
For many lgbt South Carolinians who have to live with the stereotype of our state being backwards, these flags and the increased visibility they bring are a like bursts of fresh air. It also reveals the steady pace the SC lgbt leadership has been working to make things better for our community.
The banners also caught local anti-gay leaders by surprise. Oran Smith of the Palmetto Family Council was asked about the banners and all he could muster is the following:
“I think the mistake the city has made is being knee deep in agenda for a specific organization promoting a specific kind of lifestyle,”
If you ask me, he is probably upset. Up until yesterday, he probably thought he had the easiest job in the state.
For more information on the SC Pride week, especially Saturday's festival featuring 80s diva Taylor Dayne, go here. Full disclosure time – I will be one of Saturday's speakers and will also be receiving the Order of the Pink Palmetto.
7 Comments
I love seeing these bannersI live in a largely gay neighborhood so they are a common sight around where I live. Still, they never fail to bring a smile to my heart. And seeing them flying openly in places like this… words can’t describe the feeling.
I’m looking forward to seeing them in personwhen I march on Saturday.
If you’ve ever been to Columbia you’ll know that DIRECTLY behind the rainbow flag, on the Capitol lawn, is the CSA Rebel flag.
Interesting juxtaposition. The city flies flags representing hope and liberation right next to a flag that has for too long represented hate and discrimination/subjugation.
Regardless, I support ANY step forward.
I’m well aware of the CSA flag.The picture says a lot about the difference between the City and the General Assembly.
So, when is MR. SMITH coming out?
This is pretty amazing.
As I recall, at the first Columbia Pride event (it happened after I left the city in the 90′s), the police surreptitiously filmed every single participant, making sure to get a face shot. They then claimed that the video was for “training purposes” and not a creepy totalitarian exercise.
Is it possible–possible–that SC has started to change?
Everytime someone puts up a rainbow banner a conservative hangs a sad clown painting in his living roomProgress is slow, but it’s always a great thing when it happens. I had just about given up on the human race after Bush was president, but then Obama got elected and it seemed that someone somewhere was actually counting the votes this time.