Find LGBTQ Resources

LGBTQ+ Resources

The resources listed here are not direct City of Clemson resources but are either National organizations or local to the Upstate of South Carolina. If you are seeking support, please check out the resources listed below to find the one best suited for you. Many of them offer a variety of services based on your particular needs.

The City of Clemson is also fortunate to be near Clemson University, which has a variety of LGBTQ+ programs as well, many of which are open to the community as well. Click here to visit the Clemson University LGBTQ+ Programs website.

Outreach Services and Support Groups

LGBT+ Chamber

https://upstatelgbt.org/

This is a group of LGBT+ professionals and allies who understand that diversity, equality, and economic empowerment are vital for any healthy business community. With purpose and out of necessity, Chamber members are rewriting the narrative of the queer intersectional experience in the Upstate of South Carolina, to create a stronger, healthier community based on the shared appreciation for the diversity that defines and enhances us all.

PFLAG

Greenville, SC: 864-214-4961 | info@pflaggvl.org | www.pflaggvl.org
Spartanburg, SC: 864-381-8187 | pflagspartanburg@gmail.com | www.pflagspartanburg.org

PFLAG is the first and largest organization dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for LGBTQ+ people and their families. PFLAG’s network of hundreds of chapters and more than 250,000 members and supporters works to create a caring, just, and affirming world for LGBTQ+ people and those who love them. PFLAG's website offers a number of resources for lobbying and advocating.

Rainbow Support Group

https://www.rainbowsupportgroupsc.org/

The Rainbow Support Group SC began in 2013 in response to a gay-bashing incident involving a few Upstate LGBTQI+ youth and the ensuing lack of support and community resources. This group started to make sure all LGBTQI+ people know they have a place to go get support, encouragement, and fellowship and to know they are not alone.

Southern Equality

https://southernequality.org/

The Campaign for Southern Equality is working to build a South where LGBTQ people are equal in every sphere of life. More than one third of all LGBTQ Americans live in the South, but the community lacks basic legal protections, faces political attacks, and experiences health and income inequities. LGBTQ Southerners also live each day with courage and strength and are doing heroic work to promote equality in their hometowns. And every day, we hear powerful stories about how the South is changing. All of this is true at once.

Tri-County Gender Benders

http://tricountygenderbenders.com/

Tri-County Gender Benders is a trans-centered support group focused on providing a community for those on the trans spectrum in the tri-county upstate area of South Carolina. This group consists of members who are Transgender & Transgender Allies who help each other cope with a society that is learning through regular monthly meetings.

Uplift Outreach

https://upliftoutreachcenter.org/

The Uplift Outreach Center began as the dream of Spartanburg resident and activist, Eric Nolley. He envisioned a safe place for homeless and at risk youth who identified as LGBTQ+ and needed resources. The only place like this existed in Columbia, a hundred miles away.

Upstate Pride

https://www.upstatepridesc.org/

Upstate Pride SC empowers people of all gender expressions and sexual identities in the Upstate of South Carolina by promoting acceptance through education, advocacy and networking. Upstate Pride SC serves the 10-county region of the upstate of South Carolina.

Health Services

AID Upstate

https://www.aidupstate.org/

AID Upstate is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides supportive services to people affected by HIV/AIDS in Anderson, Greenville, Oconee and Pickens Counties of South Carolina. AID Upstate is committed to preventing and treating HIV through direct services, advocacy, education and awareness.

help.org

https://www.help.org/

The mission of Help.org is to provide support for people who are dealing with substance abuse and addiction through comprehensive resources and guides and connecting people with the right treatment programs.

Piedmont Care

https://www.piedmontcare.org/

Piedmont Care is the nonprofit 501c3 organization providing HIV/AIDS care, prevention, and advocacy in Spartanburg, Cherokee, and Union counties of South Carolina and only organization in the community 100% dedicated to the fight against HIV/AIDS.The mission of Piedmont Care, Inc., an educational and advocacy organization, is to coordinate and provide medical, social, and psychological services for individuals and families affected by or at risk for HIV.

PrideLink

https://pridelink.org/

PrideLink's mission is to improve the quality of life for all LGBTQ+ people in Upstate, South Carolina in hopes of creating a thriving Upstate, SC community where all LGBTQ+ people are strong, safe, and successful. PrideLink offers resources, programs, and services to address health, social, and access needs of LGBTQ+ people.

Mental Health and Addiction Recovery Services

864 Pride

https://864pride.org/

864Pride seeks to serve the community by creating and sustaining mental health programming that does not currently exist for LGBTQ+ folks, providing funding for LGBTQ+ folks to gain access to medical and mental health care, and increasing affirmative providers through clinical training.

Addiction Center

https://www.addictioncenter.com/online-therapy/

Addiction Center strives to provide quality information and assistance in the struggle with addiction. Their ultimate mission is to ensure that people looking for help have the tools and information to find it

Alcohol Help

https://www.alcoholhelp.com

Alcohol Help is an informational resource geared towards reducing the harm caused by alcohol. These high quality, well researched webpages surround the implications of alcohol use and how to seek treatment and a path forward to a healthy life.

Alcohol Rehab Guide

https://www.alcoholrehabguide.org/resources/lgbtq-alcoholism/

Members of the LGBTQ community often do not have access to the same support systems as other members of society. Alcohol Rehab Guide assists with locating an LGBTQ+ sensitive facility with a variety of treatment plans and options.

Amaryllis

https://www.amarylliscounseling.org/

Amaryllis Counseling supports local LGBTQ+ groups through regular volunteer work and active involvement in LGBTQ+ advocacy within the Upstate of SC. We at Amaryllis is passionate about bringing access to care to the community along with day to day space for healing and growth.

Centric Behavioral Health

https://centricbh.com/aapi-lgbtq-substance-abuse-and-mental-illness-support/

Not knowing where to turn or what to do can be scary when you’re suffering from addiction and feel like there is no one to help. Centric has compiled a list of safe resources for members of the AAPI LGBTQ+ community when seeking help and support for yourself or loved ones.

Division on Addictions

https://www.addictiontreatmentdivision.org/drug-alcohol/south-carolina/

There are 108 South Carolina Alcohol and Drug Rehabilitation Centers and Facilities for drug and alcohol addiction treatment. Find the right one today.

Live Another Day

https://liveanotherday.org/bipoc/lgbtq/

QTBIPOC people often experience discrimination due to their gender identity and skin color. This discrimination can be encountered when it comes to mental and physical health care. This directory of resources provides access to care for a variety of issues.

Prevail Recovery Center

https://prevailrecoverycenter.com/black-lgbtq-recovery-resources/

To decrease the deficit in care for members of the black LGBTQ+ community, Prevail has found a variety of resources that are meant to help you through the hardest journey of your life. Asking for help is brave. Use any of the following resources to seek help and find a community of people struggling with the same things that you are.

RehabSpot

https://www.rehabspot.com/alcohol/who-alcoholism-affects/lgbtq-community/

Due to the unique challenges members of the LGBTQ community face, such as discrimination and hate crimes, some may turn to drugs such as alcohol to cope. The road to recovery from alcohol addiction does not have to be difficult, lonely or embarrassing. If you or a family member are struggling with alcoholism in the LGBTQ community, you can find support and medications you need.

The Recovery Village

https://www.therecoveryvillage.com/resources/lgbtq/

This Ohio-based company offers a variety of resources for members of the LGBTQ+ community dealing with addiction as well as information for how their loved ones can help.

Senior Support Resources

AssistedLiving.org: LGBTQIA+ Senior Housing Options

https://www.assistedliving.org/lgbtqia-senior-housing-options/

For members of the senior population looking for housing - retirement, independent living, assisted living, memory care, and nursing homes - that are LGBTQIA+ friendly. Also includes resources for low income seniors and a guide for questions to ask and helpful resources.

AssistedLiving.org: LGBTQIA+ Senior Housing Options

https://www.assistedliving.org/lgbtqia-senior-housing-options/

This guide to assisted living in South Carolina offers a look at expected care costs for long-term options and financial resources that may be available to senior residents. It also provides information about government agencies and nonprofits that offer seniors services, along with a brief look at some of the rules and regulations surrounding senior residential communities.

Retire Guide

https://www.retireguide.com/guides/lgbtq-elder-health-care/

Growing older presents challenges for millions of Americans, but members of the LGBTQ+ community are particularly hard-hit. This guide connects the elders of the LGBTQ+ community to the resources and information necessary to help them find the care that they need.

SeniorHomes.com

https://www.seniorhomes.com/senior-living-for-lgbtqia-adults/

National Resources

Human Rights Campaign

https://www.hrc.org/

The Human Rights Campaign envisions a world where every member of the LGBTQ+ family has the freedom to live their truth without fear, and with equality under the law.

TransLifeline

https://translifeline.org/

Trans Lifeline is a grassroots hotline and microgrants 501(c)(3) non-profit organization offering direct emotional and financial support to trans people in crisis – for the trans community, by the trans community. Trans Lifeline connects trans people to the community support and resources needed to survive and thrive.

The Trevor Project

https://www.thetrevorproject.org/

The Trevor Project is the world’s largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning) young people.

LGBTQ+ Liaisons

Sarah Wickham
Administration
864-653-2030
swickham@cityofclemson.org

Sonya Morton
CPD Victims Advocate
864-624-2000
smorton@cityofclemson.org

Our LGBTQ+ liaisons are City employees who are available to listen to your questions, comments, concerns, or ideas regarding the environment in the City of Clemson with respect to the LGBTQ+ community then communicate those concerns to the City Council, and City Administrator, and City Police Command, especially for those who may not feel comfortable speaking with those individuals directly. Please contact one or both of these liaisons if you have any concerns or if you know of additional resources not otherwise listed here.

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