South Carolina Arts Commission Denies Grants to LGBTQ Groups Amidst Lawmaker Concerns
Two Upstate LGBTQ arts groups, the Greenville Gay Men’s Chorus and the Proud Mary Theatre Company, are speaking out after the South Carolina Arts Commission board voted to deny them state grant funding, despite initial recommendations from a review panel.…
Greenville Spartanburg Asheville Anderson, SC, October 2, 2026 —
Two prominent LGBTQ arts organizations in Upstate South Carolina have been denied state grant funding by the South Carolina Arts Commission board. The Greenville Gay Men’s Chorus and the Proud Mary Theatre Company, both recipients of previous state support, stated they were informed of the decision after a board vote. This decision came despite initial recommendations from a review panel that had supported their grant applications.
The South Carolina Arts Commission board cited concerns that were reportedly raised by lawmakers. These concerns focused on the perceived artistic merit of the proposed projects and the potential for the funded activities to promote what was described as ‘ideology.’ Specific details regarding which lawmakers voiced these concerns, the precise nature of the artistic merit critiques, or the exact definition of ‘ideology’ in this context were not immediately provided.
Representatives for the Greenville Gay Men’s Chorus and the Proud Mary Theatre Company have characterized the denial as discriminatory. The groups highlighted that they had previously received state funding and that this denial, particularly after a review panel’s positive recommendation, raises questions about the process. The amount of funding sought or the specific grants that were denied were not specified in the information provided.
The South Carolina Arts Commission’s board has the final say on grant allocations, often reviewing recommendations from expert panels. The disparity between the panel’s initial assessment and the board’s final decision in this instance has become a focal point for the affected arts organizations. Further details on the timeline of the review panel’s recommendations and the board’s subsequent vote were not immediately available. The groups have indicated they are evaluating their next steps following the denial.
Story summarized from the original created by Alexa Erbach on www.foxcarolina.com, see more information here.
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