Charleston gay
For a town obsessed with its own history, Charleston has been lethargic to acknowledge its gay past. That’s why Harlan Greene, a librarian at the College of Charleston, created an interactive map this spring titled “The Real Rainbow Row: Charleston’s Queer History.”
“It was always the gone white men. Then they let the women in. Then they let the African Americans in,” Greene says. Now, he says, it’s time to carry in the LGBT people.
In creating the first version of the map, Greene says he intentionally left out Charleston’s numerous gay and gay-friendly bars, from Dudley’s and Club Pantheon to now-closed watering holes like the 49 Club and Camden’s Tavern.
“People have been pressing me to add in the bars, and I will put bars on like the Garden and Gun Club, but I just wanted to prove there was more to same-sex attracted history than bars,” Greene says. “That’s like saying that black history is only in churches.”
We’ve featured a few points of interest from Greene’s map below. To see the full map and read more about Greene’s research, check in it here online.
A – Ivory Point The past, the aged joke goes, is not what it used to be. But it’s also not funny anymore: LGBTQ history is being targeted in a national government purge, wiping out web pages and censoring libraries, an ethnic cleansing of a very diverse story. Here in the South, historians and archivists are warning community members about donating queer-related materials to repositories whose web addresses conclude in .edu or are funded by state legislatures targeting LGBTQ issues and trans people especially, as is happening in S.C. The fear is that orders will come to dump these collections, or that collecting will no longer be robust, out of fear of drawing too much attention to the issue. Even before diversity, equity and inclusion became taboo, one local academic library turned back the papers of a queer man, claiming his libertarian organization was anti-Black. It wasn’t — he closed it down and publicly repudiated the bigots and homophobes who had flocked to it — yet earnest (straight), tone-deaf staffers insisted on keeping the shelves sanctified and safe (and empty) by mounting a protest against a few folders of printouts Charleston is one of the oldest cities in South Carolina, and certainly among the most attractive. This oceanside municipality is full of southern charm. It has a opulent history and a forward-thinking future, and it’s known for being an artsy, friendly, eclectic coastal town with plenty to see and do. Even surpass, it has a thriving and welcoming LGBTQ community. If you’re thinking of finding your next home in Charleston, you’ll find plenty about it to love! A Look at Charleston's History Without question, Charleston is a city well-off with history and deep roots – in fact, those roots stretch assist to as drawn-out ago as 1670. In 1663, King Charles II of England awarded the Carolina territory to eight of his friends, who had helped him to regain the throne after being in exile. In 1670, the expedition sailed across the Atlantic and established the first settlement, “Charles Town,” today, “Charleston”. While it was founded as a very small town, it grew fast, eventually becoming one of the five largest cities in the country. Although it is no longer one of the nation’s largest cities, it is still a thriving, div Charleston Gay Bingo is advocate on June 13, 2025! Bingo is the marquee fundraiser for Palmetto Society Care, where the winner is never a vertical line, and everyone has a ball. This year, we’re pulling out all the stops! Not only will a ticket get you in with the chance to win great prizes, this year you’ll also have access to our full bar, passed hors d’oeuvres, and more throughout the night. You scan that correctly! This year’s ticket includes all-you-can-eat and drink, plus games of bingo, a live and silent auction, prizes for the best costumes, and performances by drag queens and kings. Presented by Avita Pharmacy, Charleston Gay Bingo is assist and bigger than ever—benefiting Palmetto Community Care! This isn’t just bingo—it’s a full-blown extravaganza where glitz, glam, and good vibes collide for a fabulous cause. Your all-inclusive ticket gets you everything: We’re raising
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