Our Organization

The Harriet Hancock Center Foundation was officially recognized in 1987 as the Gay and Lesbian Advocacy Research project. The Center itself was founded in 1993 as a project of the Gay and Lesbian Pride Movement, and was the first LGBTQ+ resource and community center in South Carolina. In 1994, we purchased the house at 1108 Woodrow Street in Columbia, and have called it home ever since. Renamed after our founder in 2008, we continue to be a place that offers support, education and opportunities to build confidence and connection in the LGBTQ+ community.

Our on-site programming is peer-led and creates a place for folx to be authentically themselves while navigating the complexities of identity. We also work with community partners to show up and advocate for the rights of not only the LGBTQ+ community, but our allies.

We host social events and educational opportunities to serve an ever growing community. Our youth-focused events like Queer Prom are hosted through our Youth OUTLOUD program which meets twice a month. We have a variety of groups for those who are 18+ through Queer Collective. We also host open-to-all activities such as workshops, Pop-Up Closet or our First Sunday Supper, which is our oldest event hosted every month.

When events are not hosted, the community is welcome to come by the HHC and relax our couches, get work done in our meeting room or study in the library. When our flags are out, we are open!

Mission

The mission of the Harriet Hancock LGBT Center is to provide education, social support and resources related to current and evolving concerns of the LGBTQAI+ community in South Carolina. 

Vision

The Harriet Hancock LGBT Center is dedicated to fostering a safe and inclusive space that supports, educates and builds resilience and collaboration among the LGBTQAI+ community, allies, and neighbors in the Greater Columbia and Midlands region.