AFFA was founded in 1998 in Charleston as an all-volunteer organization. Linda Ketner was the first president, serving until 2004. AFFA hired Warren Redman-Gress as its first executive director in 2002. Redman-Gress continued in that position until 2017. Chase Glenn was hired as the new executive director that same year. Ultimately,the goal of the organization is to fight for the equality of LGBTQ people in South Carolina. The Alliance for Full Acceptance would achieve this by legislative action, promotional campaigns, and social events. The organization participated in a campaign opposing the referendum made in 2006, on amendment 1. Amendment 1 at the time declared that it was politically incorrect to perform or even recognize same sex marriages in the state of South Carolina. A radio show called "Equal Time" aired on 2006 and continued till 2007. The show was produced by AFFA and was intended for coversations about different LGBTQ topics led by local and national community members. AFFA has helped other organizations by donating to projects involving LGBTQ youth in North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. In addition to helping other states, Alliance for Full Acceptance has raised awareness on how to better LGBTQ issues through training sessions in schools, police departments, and Phycologists.
Programs
Amendment 1 Campaign
In 2006, a ballot referendum was held at the statewide level on Amendment 1 to the South Carolina state constitution, which proposed "A marriage between one man and one woman is the only lawful domestic union that shall be valid or recognized in this State." AFFA campaigned against the amendment with a radio show, billboards, and testimony at legislative session. The amendment was approved by 65% of voters in Charleston County and 78% of voters in the state as a whole.
In 2018, AFFA, the College of Charleston Community Assistance Program, and the Medical University of South CarolinaCollege of Health Professions worked together to create and administer a survey of LGBTQ people in Charleston, Dorchester, and Berkeley counties. AFFA published a report of the survey findings, which addressed the needs of LGBTQ people in the Tri-County area with regards to healthcare, the workplace, family life, and safety. In 2020, the issue with LGBTQ needing better healthcare is now relevant to the Coronavirus Pandemic. A recent study conducted by found that members of the LGBTQ community are more susceptible to the virus due to the fact that they are more likely to be working in the food service industry where there is an increase of cases. The LGBTQ community also faces health coverage gaps.On May 21st,2020, an advocacy group called the Campaign for Southern Equality opened applications for its Covid-19 rapid response grant program. 125,00 dollars was distributed to LGBTQ southeners impacted by Covid-19.
