On Saturday, August 10th, Alliance For Full Acceptance, 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., in North Charleston.
The celebration will begin at 4 pm with a ribbon cutting ceremony set for 5 pm. The event is free, 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,” Nijeeah Richardson, Executive Director of We Are Family, said. “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.
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,” Tony Williams, Chair & Chief Executive Officer of Charleston Pride, said. “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 on September 7th with 19 different community-based events throughout the week, culminating with the Pride Festival on September 14th featuring headliner Todrick Hall.
For the latest information on the grand opening, please visit the Facebook event page.
