COLUMBIA — The slumping economy has already hit one South Carolina non-profit. In mid-November, Q-Notes reported that SC Equality needed to raise $30,000 by the end of the year or face closure. Now a local AIDS services foundation has been forced to cancel its large-scale New Year’s gala fundraiser. AIDS Benefit Foundation of South Carolina President [...] ...

DURHAM — Over 300 advocates and EqualityNC supporters gathered at Duke University’s Bryan Student Center on Nov. 15 for the organization’s long-anticipated, second annual N.C. Equality Conference and Gala. The statewide event attracting participants from locations as far as Boone and Wilmington was held the same day that thousands of citizens across the state gathered [...] ...

The Human Rights Campaign has listed their annual publication called "Buying for Equality" which helps consumers identify which companies are supportive of the LGBT community. According to a Witeck-Combs/Market Research.com study, the buying power of the LGBT community is estimated to be $759 billion in 2009.Let us use our money wisely. Check out the guide for a comprehensive listing per category and be sure to spread the word!Click here for a PDF of the Buying for Equality guide. ...

On December 10, the new organizing group JoinTheImpact is sponsoring the “Day without a gay” event. You’re supposed to call in to work, not shop and basically not participate in the economy for a whole day. I understand the point that the organizers are trying to prove, and i don’t think any harm will be done by the action, but i don’t think it will accomplish much either. That being said, I think it’s great that they are encouraging GLBT and allies to not just stop working and spending money, but to actually give back to the community. Volunteering with other ...

One of our readers has designed a new blog to inspire LGBTIQQA "soldiers on the home front" (and our allies) to do our part to help win the cultural war for our full and equal civil rights. The blog has a mission of achieving equality and success for the community. One of the first calls to action is QVS - Queer Voluntary Service that we can do on behalf of the community.http://culturalwareffort.blogspot.com/ ...

MissionGathering Christian Church of San Diego put up this billboard, which reads: MissionGathering Christian Church is sorry for the narrow-minded, judgmental, deceptive, manipulative actions of those who took away the rights & equality of so many in the name of God. www.missiongathering.com Our hearts are with you. Christianity for all. MissionGathering is a part of the Christian Church denomination (Disciples of Christ). ...