SC Pride's Sweetheart Gala last Saturday had a formidable and upbeat crowd throughout the entire night. Jeff March, the president of SC Pride, was excited that the event was scheduled to last until 2 a.m. for the first time in the Gala’s history.
“It’s more youth-oriented,” said March. “More of the prom dance type of thing.”
The evening featured Derrick Barry, a contestant from the third season of “America’s Got Talent!” performing as Britney Spears. Attendees dressed to impress and spent the night dancing, laughing and having an overall good time.
Announced at the Gala were the dates of this year’s upcoming SC Pride events – they’re expecting to participate in the St. Patrick’s Day parade and festival, as they do every year, equipped with a float and countless volunteers. And since June is the official Pride Month, they’re hoping to organize some kind of event to celebrate then, too.
With the President’s Ball coming up in August, a pageant in September and the Pride festival in October, there is a lot to look forward to in the LGBT Pride community. Entertainers and hosts such as Bianca Del Rio, Phoenix, and Lonnie Gordon will be gracing the stages with comedy, drag and dance.
Not everyone who participates in SC Pride is gay — anyone in the community can attend and support their events.
“We’re a straight couple that’s very active in the gay community,” said Joanna Zaleski, an attendee at the gala. “I’ve always loved drag queens, and that kind of brought me in. The drag scene here is pretty amazing. [My boyfriend] had never been to them until he started dating me, and now we’re both very active in it.”
“I feel like it’s ridiculous that everyone isn’t given equal rights at this point,” said Zaleski’s boyfriend, Ryan Marcella. “I think it’s pretty obvious that that should be a given. It struck me as wonderful that when I went to Pride, that it was not only in view of the Statehouse, but it was right in front of it. Although it’s horrible that equality isn’t there yet, it’s nice to see that it’s so close.”
The couple attends as many Pride events as they can, emphasizing the idea that the community is accepting of all types of people. There is a lot of anticipation for the upcoming events and pride about how far they’ve come.
“I like watching what’s happened over the few years,” March said. “We had 30,000 people at the festival last year. That’s a huge statement, politically. The marriage equality thing is exciting, so we’re going to take our power and see where it goes.”
The Pride festival, which takes place in October, is the second most attended one-day festival in the state. March has hopes to make it number one.
“I think we can do it,” he said, “and that will be one hell of a statement.”
“Sometimes South Carolina isn’t the most accepting of places,” Zaleski added. “Starting to go to these events has sort of changed who I am, and it makes me more open. I think it’s fun. It makes me proud to be from South Carolina.”