Alliance For Full Acceptance

 

We’re gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and straight allies uniting to eliminate prejudice based on sexual orientation. We have over 1600 members and friends of AFFA and are headquartered in Charleston, South Carolina.

Why join? Because we make things happen… in the right way, for the right reasons. Because lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Americans are denied over 1500 basic civil rights accorded to every other American. Because on average, a student hears homophobic remarks 26 times per day; and teachers do not respond 97% of the time. Because people should be judged, as Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “By the content of their character,” and the LGBT majority is overwhelmingly composed of responsible and loving people.

Within our site, you’ll find our operating principles, some of our programs and activities, outstanding educational resources, links, ways to support us, an application for membership. We meet during the year for Program meetings and social events. Check the Events section for our next meeting.

Our ADORASO (A Dialogue on Religion and Sexual Orientation) group, whose mission it is to “To champion faith-based respect for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender persons,” meets each month; as does our Parenting Group for members of the community with children. Check the Events section for dates and places of those meetings. Generally, we have at least one event per month, so check under Events section for the latest information.

If you’re gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, the family-member or friend of a LGBT person, an American interested in civil rights and social justice, we welcome you to our community.

Sample Organizational Activities:

  • Meetings every other month to educate members on issues affecting the gay and lesbian community and/or the community at large (programs could include information about issues ranging from economics, to politics, to spirituality, to physical and/or mental health, to estate planning, to powers of attorney, living wills and more).
  • Provide education and information via the Internet, newsletters, direct mailings, and a speakers bureau to organizations and/or individuals wishing to learn more about sexual orientation.
  • Offer public officials feedback and information on the concerns of the gay and lesbian community.
  • Provide a forum for public officials, religious, business and community leaders to share information and engage in dialogue.
  • Educate and support parents of gay and lesbian children in order to positively impact the alarming suicide rate among gay children.
  • Provide a directory of gay and lesbian friendly businesses, professional services and support organizations.
  • Encourage voter registration among membership.
  • Lead one another, the region, state and nation, out of homophobia and fear.
  • Address civil rights and social justice violations in our community, region and state.
  • Train people in the political process.
  • Design a web page for education on local, state and national issues; provide resource and referral information.
  • Offer scholarships to regional and national training conferences. Offer leadership education.
  • Encourage lesbian, gay and gay-friendly candidates to run for public office.
  • Provide a positive climate for friendship, networking, personal and professional growth as well as service to the greater community.
  • Engage in public relations which shows a positive and affirming gay and lesbian community presence … may include in addition to speaking: advertisements, billboards, public response to issues.

 

  

As an organization committed to encouraging emotionally healthy and responsible lives in the LGBT community, Alliance For Full Acceptance (AFFA) strongly condemns the sexual exploitation of children by any individual, group, or organization, in any form and under any circumstance.