Before “Love Wins” was a hashtag, it was a fight.
There was a time in South Carolina when LGBTQ+ couples were told their love didn’t count under the law. In 1996, state statute banned same-sex marriage. In 2006, a constitutional amendment reinforced that exclusion.
But our community did not accept that future.
SC Equality led the fight against Amendment 1. We organized. We educated. We pushed forward legislative efforts — even when the votes weren’t there yet. We stood alongside couples who were ready to demand what they had always deserved: dignity and recognition.
And in 2014, after years of advocacy and a federal court ruling striking down the ban, same-sex couples began receiving marriage licenses in South Carolina.
Welcome to the Board!
Christine Simmons
Joins the SC Equality Board of Directors!
Christine Simmons is a community organizer, activist, and local Democratic leader in Richland County who recently joined the SC Equality Board of Directors. She is the founder of Soda City Dems and brings years of experience in grassroots organizing, civic engagement, and advocacy for women and LGBTQ+ communities. A former candidate for Mayor of Arcadia Lakes, Christine was widely recognized as a thoughtful listener and effective communicator who prioritized connection and inclusive leadership. With more than two decades of experience in human resources, she brings valuable expertise in organizational effectiveness and culture-building. Christine is dedicated to strengthening SC Equality’s impact and advancing equality across South Carolina through strategic advocacy and coalition-building.
Advocating for Change
Join us in our mission to advocate for LGBTQ rights and promote equality through legislative actions and education.
Promoting Equity, Living Proudly
Our Mission
Our Focus
To secure equal civil and human rights for all lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender South Carolinians and their families.
SC Equality is dedicated to uplifting the LGBTQ community through education, outreach, and advocacy efforts across the state.
