News Summary
Upstate Pride SC is exploring adjustments to its annual March and Festival due to heightened safety concerns following recent threats. A meeting with local business leaders aims to improve community engagement and safety for attendees. The festival, a significant celebration of the LGBTQ+ community, may introduce new activities including a film festival and a night market, aiming to enhance the overall experience while prioritizing safety amidst evolving challenges.
Spartanburg — Upstate Pride SC is considering potential changes to its annual March and Festival, which traditionally takes place at Barnet Park during the last weekend of October or the first weekend of November. This decision comes amidst growing safety concerns, particularly following recent threats targeting the event. The festival is a critical platform for celebrating the LGBTQ+ community and raising awareness of ongoing struggles for equality.
In response to these safety issues, Upstate Pride SC plans to meet with local business leaders in the coming weeks to discuss how the festival can better suit the community’s needs and possibly amend its format. The organization’s leadership has recognized the importance of adapting the festival to enhance safety, especially after relocating the event back to Barnet Park from the streets. This shift was made to provide a more secure environment for attendees, especially in light of an increase in harassment and the emergence of protests in previous years.
Since its inception in 2009, the Upstate Pride SC March and Festival has attracted thousands of visitors from across the Upstate region. In addition to the main festival, this year’s event may introduce new activities, including a film festival and a night market showcasing local vendors. Upstate Pride SC is hopeful that these changes will bolster vendor participation and create a more vibrant experience for festival-goers.
The festival has faced fewer protestors in recent years, indicating a gradual shift towards greater acceptance within the community. Still, the safety of participants remains a priority, especially as there have already been recent email threats that necessitated intervention from law enforcement, including attempts involving the FBI. Despite these challenges, organizers remain dedicated to fostering community resilience against hate.
Supporting Upstate Pride SC are local organizations such as PFLAG Spartanburg and the Uplift Outreach Center. PFLAG, which stands for Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, boasts over 400 chapters throughout the nation since its founding in 1973. PFLAG Spartanburg, under the leadership of its newly appointed president since 2024, has been actively engaged in advocacy and community education, hosting weekly meetings at the Uplift Outreach Center. This center, a community resource located at Fernwood Baptist Church since 2019, serves youth aged 13 to 25, offering various programs, including games and artistic activities.
The partnership between these organizations highlights the concerted effort to build a stronger coalition within the community, especially amidst current political challenges affecting the transgender community. Both Upstate Pride SC and its allies emphasize the need for legislative changes in South Carolina, including a statewide hate crime bill and improved access to youth gender-affirming care.
The Spartanburg City Council has taken steps to recognize the importance of Pride Month, issuing a proclamation in June 2023. Council members have expressed their support for organizations like PFLAG and Uplift Outreach Center, recognizing their vital role in bolstering safe spaces for families and the LGBTQ+ community.
The Upstate Pride SC March and Festival not only celebrates the LGBTQ+ community but also serves as a reminder of the ongoing fight for equality. Event organizers are keen on ensuring that safety measures are in place as they push forward with plans for this year’s festival and work to maintain the event’s significance within the local community.
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Additional Resources
- Greenville Online
- Wikipedia: LGBT rights in the United States
- GoUpstate
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Pride
- QNotes Carolinas
- Google News: Upstate Pride SC
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