PFLAG Aiken

10/11/2026

09/24/2026

Yesterday, South Carolina lost a giant for LGBTQ+ advocacy -- Harriet Hancock. In the early 1980's, Harriet's son Greg came out to her. Not long afterwards, she heard a story on her car radio about PLFAG and its founder Jeanne Manford. Harriet knew that this was something Columbia needed to support other families whose children were coming out, and the children themselves who were being rejected. The was the beginning of the first PFLAG chapter in the South. However, Harriet didn't stop there, she was also a founder of PALSS, an HIV-AIDS support organization, the first Pride march in 1990, and the LGBTQ+ center that now bears her name, the Harriet Hancock LGBTQ Center. She has been called Mama Harriet for a reason, she was the Pride Mom of the South Carolina LGBTQ+ community. We all owe her a debt of gratitude that can only be repaid by resolving to continue the work that she started, being advocates for all who need support, being a voice for equality, justice, and fairness. Even in these difficult times, we must never stop. Rest well Mama Harriet, we will miss you but your memory will always live on.

09/14/2026

PFLAG Aiken will be meeting again at the Aiken UU church this month on Sept. 24. The annual business meeting will be on Oct. 22 at 6:30, just before the regular meeting. Annual dues are $25 for individuals and $40 for families. Anyone whose dues are paid by the business meeting has voting rights to elect board members and other business.

08/18/2026

A couple of weeks ago, a 4th grade teacher in a Dorchester 4 school told their students that they were transitioning and to now call them Mr. 19 parents of the 26 kids in the class requested that they be moved to another classroom. The school said that they didn't have room in other classes. The parents interviewed on the video are clearly very afraid of something that they don't understand.

Below is a news report from Aug. 7:

https://abcnews4.com/news/local/dd4-parents-question-district-response-to-transitioning-teacher-news-teacher-student-school-trending-story-family-community-charleston-south-carolina

Tonight there is a school board meeting and the SC PFLAG Rapid Response Team put out the following statements that have been cosigned by all the PFLAG Chapters in SC including PFLAG Aiken.

PFLAG Charleston

4:46 PM (24 minutes ago)


to phughes, tfolk, jhodges, vinfinger, einfinger, Susan, me, PFLAG, pflagpickens, pflagspartanburg, PFLAG
Dear Board members,

Recently in Dorchester School District Four, several families raised concerns after learning that a fourth-grade teacher is transitioning. Some families have asked the district for the option to move their children to another classroom. District leaders have not yet made a public statement, and families plan to raise their concerns at the school board meeting on August 18.

Our PFLAG Charleston community understands that change can bring up questions, and that parents care deeply about their kids. We believe this moment is an opportunity, not a crisis: kids learn how to treat others by watching the adults around them. You don't have to fully understand someone's identity to teach your child to use the name they're asked to use, or to treat a teacher with basic courtesy. That's not a lesson about gender — it's a lesson about respect, and it's one every child benefits from learning early.

We also want to be clear: a teacher's identity does not change their qualifications, their care for their students, or their right to do their job without harassment. Transgender people are teachers, nurses, neighbors, and parents. They contribute to our community everyday. We encourage DD4 families, staff, and leadership to move through this moment with curiosity and kindness rather than fear. Love and acceptance will always win.

Sincerely,
PFLAG Charleston SC

co-signers:
PFLAG Aiken
PFLAG Anderson
PFLAG Greenville
PFLAG Pawley's Island
PFLAG Pickens
PFLAG Spartanburg
PFLAG Rock Hill
PFLAG National

Nineteen families with children enrolled at a Dorchester School District Four elementary school gathered Friday to share concerns they say they have after learn

06/30/2026

PFLAG Aiken was at Pride Storytime reading Mother of a Movement about Jeanne Manford, the founder of PFLAG. We also had a special visit from Big Bird!

06/28/2026

At Augusta Pride, Aiken Q***r Youth and PFLAG Aiken tables.

06/28/2026

PFLAG Interim President with scholarship recipient Angel Patel.

05/26/2026

Three of our PFLAG Aiken scholarship recipients: Mariella Berry, Hailee Dicks, Caitlin Dail. Not pictured Hayden Yaun, Cameron Cook and Angel Patel.