Programs & Events

commUNITY Picnic

The University of South Carolina is an inclusive community eager to welcoming all new and returning LGBT students to campus! Join us during “Carolina Welcome Week” to mix and mingle with members from various LGBT-focused campus and community organizations while enjoying festive picnic food on the Russell House Patio. Find out about the resources of the campus and community as well as get some USC freebies.

Quench (Queers + Lunch)

Quench sessions provide tools that our LGBT and Ally students can utilize to enhance their success and pride both on campus and in preparation for life after graduation. Each session is co-sponsored with campus representatives and off-campus community members.

Pink Elephant Discussions

There’s an elephant in the room. It is large and squatting, so it is hard to get around it. Yet we squeeze by with, “How are you?” and “I’m fine,” and a thousand other forms of trivial chatter. We talk about the weather. We talk about work. We talk about everything else, except the elephant in the room … until now!

National Coming Out Day

Each October 11, LGBT Programs & Services and a variety of campus and community partners come together to educate the Carolina community on what it means to be LGBT and offer support and visibility for those in their own coming out process. The day typically includes events on Greene Street as well as conversations, presentations, and gatherings to dialogue about the coming out process. Safe Zone Ally Program training is often held on National Coming Out Day as well.

Ally Week

Designed to educate the campus community about homophobia and heterosexism, “Ally Week” occurs annually in the spring semester. A variety of events are offered throughout the week, including discussions, educational events outside the Russell House University Union, and opportunities for current allies to make their visibility known on campus as well as increase the number of allies in our community. “Ally Week” is traditionally held in March or April.

Ally Development & Appreciation

Our Ally Development & Appreciation events give our allies the chance to meet and mingle, to share their stories of support, to obtain new resources and guidance, and to hear from one of our campus, or greater-Columbia partners. Ally Development & Appreciation events are held once a semester.