Where to Find LGBTQ+ Resources in Columbia, South Carolina
- James Agens
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
Finding affirming, accessible LGBTQ+ resources can make all the difference—whether you’re looking for community, support, mental health services, or a place where you can simply show up as yourself. Columbia, South Carolina is home to several organizations, groups, and community spaces dedicated to serving LGBTQ+ individuals and families.
As part of our work at SC Equality, we want to ensure that every LGBTQ+ person in our state knows where to turn for support. Below is a guide to some of the most active and affirming resources in the Columbia area.
The Harriet Hancock LGBT Center is one of the most established and comprehensive LGBTQ+ community centers in the state. The center offers:
Peer support groups
Social and community events
Mental health resources and referrals
Youth programming
Volunteer opportunities
Meeting space for community organizations
The Center is a welcoming home for people seeking connection, education, and affirming support. It’s located at 1108 Woodrow Street and is open to individuals, families, and allies across the Midlands.
Hosted through the Harriet Hancock Center, Youth OUTLOUD offers a safe and supportive environment for LGBTQ+ teens. These are closed-door, confidential meetings designed to help young people build community, find support, and navigate adolescence with encouragement and affirmation.
For many teens, Youth OUTLOUD is the first place they feel truly seen.
The Transgender Awareness Alliance (TAA) works to uplift, support, and empower transgender, nonbinary, and gender-expansive individuals across South Carolina. TAA offers:
Advocacy and outreach
Community support programs
Events focused on visibility, education, and safety
Peer connections for trans individuals seeking community
Their work is vital in a year where transgender visibility continues to come with challenges—and where affirming spaces are essential.
Located at 1020 Atlas Road, Garden of Grace UCC is an open and affirming congregation where LGBTQ+ individuals and families are welcomed fully and celebrated. Faith communities can play an important role in healing and belonging, and Garden of Grace has long been a supportive spiritual home for many queer South Carolinians.
Why LGBTQ+ Resources Matter
Access to supportive resources is more important than ever. LGBTQ+ people in South Carolina often face unique challenges—whether navigating healthcare, school environments, family relationships, or simply trying to find safe and affirming community spaces.
Having multiple welcoming organizations creates a stronger, more connected Columbia. These groups work together to ensure:
LGBTQ+ youth are supported
Trans and gender-expansive people have community
Families can access affirming information
Anyone seeking connection has a place to go
As we share stories throughout our Giving Tuesday ca
mpaign, we will continue lifting up the people and organizations doing the work—leaders, educators, parents, advocates, and community partners who believe, as we do, that equal means everyone.
SC Equality Is Here to Help
SC Equality is committed to making it easier for LGBTQ+ South Carolinians to find the resources they need—whether you’re looking for support in Columbia or anywhere across the state. Our mission includes not only advocacy and legislative work, but also connecting individuals and families with the organizations that can support them day to day.
If you know of additional LGBTQ+ resources in Columbia or want your group to be included, reach out to us. This list will continue to grow as our community grows.
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