S.C. Pride Parade Marches On

Re: Daniel's post about Columbia being a "conservative town", I believe you are thinking of Charlotte, for Columbia had an anti-discrimination policy before Charlotte, a Pride March before Charlotte and when Charlotte hosted an HRC dinner, the Charlotte mayor refused to speak. Who spoke in the place of the mayor of Charlotte's place? The mayor of Columbia, of course. Additionally, Richland County's (Columbia) Sheriff Department has one of the only LGBT liaison offices in the southeast. We have a long way to go in Columbia, but please look in the mirror before projecting on another city what is undeniable in your own.

What else would you expect from the people whose culture supported slavery, the KKK, and segregation. They've just move on to another group to hate. And I'd forgotten about the Gov, using tax $$ to go see his mistress in Argentina. At least his wife took their children and told him where to go. BTW, it is reputed t he only reason he wasn't removed is because the Lt Gov is single and believed to be gay. I;ve learned in politics you never can guess what odd combination of factors will often define someones choice of who they vote for. Except when it comes to hatred of minorities, you can bet its republican through and thru, although at times you get some Unich Dems as well.

I find it amazing that some folks would object to the gay flag being displayed along Main Street. They all come down on the 6th of Sept. I am told. However, where is the same outcry when the confederate flag flies strong and proud in front of the state house as a permanent fixture?

I've never been a 'rainbow warrior'...I have attended Pride festivals in Atlanta as well as here. Usually at the pride festival here I never stay more than a few hours, but this year I stayed the entire day. The Pride Committee did a bang up job. The entertainment was awesome and spot on.....Taylor Dayne and Janice Robinson will be hard to top next year, of course, I would be happy if they just had them both return. Columbia has come a long way in allowing the banners to be hung on Main Street and in the Vista area and are to be applauded for their openmindedness and for embracing diversity. They realize finally that it's simply good business and will result in a healthy return on their meager investment. Police estimated that 10,000 people attentended, which if I am not mistaken, is a record for SC PRIDE and a good healthy number for a small state like South Carolina.

These genetic deficients actually time off from banging their sisters to protest 'militant homosexual activity'?? Wow, will wonders never cease?

"According to Palmetto's website, antigay activists had asked city officials to consider flying "flags celebrating one man, one woman marriage" as well. The request was denied." I'm not surprised. Exactly what does one of those "one man, one woman marriage" celebratory flags look like? Maybe if these nutjobs had one available when they made the request, the request might have been considered. (On the other hand, this IS the state where the STRAIGHT MARRIED CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICAN governor was paying a visit to his mistress in Argentina. I'm guessing the Palmetto Family Council doesn't understand the meaning of hypocrisy or recognize a sense of irony.)

Columbia is a very conservative town and will be for quite some time. Excepting the area around the University of South Carolina, which is very progressive, the city is very "traditional". The credit here should really be given to USC BGLSA and the USC alumni living in the area who have pushed for increasing visibility year after year. The city is slowly starting to change due to the influx of out-of-state students and the effect USC has on the area, both of which have led to more widespread acceptance of the gay community.

Progress in this country-- for our right to be treated just like anyone else---- will be won when citizens in the smaller cities change their minds. It is easy being gay in LA, San Fr. , NY, Chicago , Seattle, ect. Not so in small town America. Hats off to the people putting this on in Columbia. They probably did not change the minds of the nutties. But they probably did make many of the more moderate people think twice about the matter. Those are the people that have to realize it is plain stupid to treat gay people the way we have been (and are) treated.

South Carolina is still a backwards state in a lot of ways. Those that do 'protest to much' tend to be the ones at rest areas and bookstores looking for a hook up.

We tend to forget the struggles of our brothers and sisters in our smaller cities. AND it's a pity that we do, isn't it? Honestly, while we all learned the state capitals..; until this article, and the research it prompted me to do, I had no idea that Columbia, a predominately Democrat voting city which recently elected its first African American mayor, was the largest city in SC ...well done you South Carolina. Cheers to you, SC, for better days and a happy pride!