Jeff Ayers, Executive Director of SC Equality, will present the 2021 Legislative Updates. He will bring to us the latest information regarding LGBTQ issues and related bills before the SC legislature this upcoming year. Following his presentation, there will be time for questions and answers, and discussion. For information, visit http://www.equalmeanseveryone.org/the-latest.

Where: Zoom Meeting

When: Tuesday, January 26

6:00 PM Social Time

6:30 PM Presentation & Discussion

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About Jeff Ayers - In 2010, Jeff moved to Charleston and with the encouragement of Linda Ketner, founder of SC Equality, joined the board in 2011. Shortly after, in 2012, he became board chair. In 2016, Jeff was named Executive Director.

During his tenure, SC Equality has grown into the largest LGBTQ+ equality organization in South Carolina and was instrumental in the implementation of the Post-DOMA Litigation Task Force and the TransAction Task Force. Most recently, Jeff led the charge and played a vital role in the strategy of the historic lawsuit filed in the federal courts which brought marriage equality to South Carolina for the first time in November of 2014.

In 2015, he became permanent fixture at the South Carolina State House, successfully fighting anti-LGBTQ legislation and supporting pro-equality bills that would protect LGBTQ South Carolinians in the workplace, housing and public accommodations.

For over 20 years, Jeff has been an innovative thinker and leader in business technology, having led the design and implementation of the TLC program for USAirways (now American Airlines). He first became an LGBTQ activist in the 1990’s, serving with The Names Project (AIDS Memorial Quilt). In 1996, he was part of the organization when the entire quilt was displayed on the National Mall in Washington. While living in Charlotte, he served as board chair of the former Metrolina AIDS Project, a local AIDS service organization in the greater Charlotte-metro area which once served over 1400 people infected with AIDS.

" ENDING THE EPIDEMICS"

With so much of our attention focused on the current pandemic, it’s easy to lose sight of the fact that other serious health problems are continuing to impact our communities. At our July 28 meeting, we will hear from representatives of Ending the Epidemics SC (EtE SC), a grassroots campaign with the vision of “a South Carolina free of new cases of HIV, STDs, Viral Hepatitis and Substance Use Disorders.”

Where: Via Zoom from the comfort of your OWN Home.

When: Tuesday, July 28. Zoom Room will open at 6pm for socializing. Program will start at 6:30pm.

6:30 PM Program: Kristin Slocum, MPH, will Moderate the Panel Discussion

At our July 28 meeting, we will hear from the following representatives of Ending the Epidemics SC (EtE SC), a grassroots campaign with the vision of “a South Carolina free of new cases of HIV, STDs, Viral Hepatitis and Substance Use Disorders.” Our panel will discuss efforts related to prevention, testing and treatment as well as toward ending the stigma associated with these diseases.

Our panelists include:

(Moderator) Kristin Slocum, MPH, the SC Midlands Regional Coordinator for Ending the Epidemics SC and a health educator at the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC).

David Alexander and Gerald McNair, local advocates for the LGBT community, people living with HIV and racial healing.

Linda Brown, MPH, Overdose Prevention Coordinator at the SC Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services (DAODAS).

Join us to learn about this group’s very important work and how we can all help bring their vision into reality.

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" IT'S NEVER TOO LATE FOR JUSTICE"

A Moderated discussion of the film Just Mercy. In light of recent events, the Openings Program Committee has decided to feature the theme "EveryONE Together", when selecting future Progam topics. Since advancements in social justice require that we ALL work together to fight injustice. The June Program will focus on Racism.

Where: Via Zoom from the comfort of your OWN Home.

When: Tuesday, June 23

6:30 PM Program: Dr. Robin Dease, District Superintendent of the United Methodist Church in SC, will moderate a discussion of the film, JUST MERCY.

"Just Mercy" is a Bio-drama directed by Destin Daniel Cretton. Based on the true story of civil rights defense attorney Bryan Stevenson (Michael B. Jordan) as he recounts his experiences and details the case of a condemned death row prisoner, Walter McMillian (Jamie Foxx), whom he fought to free, as he becomes embroiled in a labyrinth of legal and political maneuverings and overt and unabashed racism, with the odds and the system stacked against them.

**We ask that folks watch the film prior to June 23.**

    The film can be streamed for $5.99 via Amazon Prime, Apple TV,  or Google Play. 
    The DVD can also be rented through Redbox or Netflix DVD.
    FREE DVD Rental. Contact: https://nypost.com/2020/06/02/warner-bros-makes-just-mercy-free-to-rent-for-systemic-racism-education/?fbclid=IwAR3gp4bQKA_wlN_ITX7HPTHXl1gV0nrRQUZPsvCZf6Haeh9yRZWjackHOb0

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About Robin Dease - Robin Dease is a graduate of Claflin University and holds a Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degree from Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington, D.C. After serving churches in the Baltimore Washington conference as a student, Dease joined The United Methodist S.C. Conference in 1998 and was ordained an elder in 2001. She first served as pastor of churches in the Charleston and Greenville Districts and as a professor at Claflin University. Presently she serves as the District Superintendent of the Hartsville District.

Hear about Historic Columbia’s research regarding formal and informal support for the LGBTQ community.

Where: Via Zoom from the comfort of your OWN Home.

When: Tuesday, May 26

6:30 PM Program: Robin Waites, Executive Director, will present the Historic Columbia’s research regarding formal and informal support for the LGBTQ community in Columbia over the years. The presentation will be followed by questions and discussion.

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About Robin Waites - Robin Waites is the Executive Director for Historic Columbia and has served in that capacity since 2004. A life-long resident of Columbia, Robin is well equipped to work with the various constituents and issues that are key factors in the preservation of historic assets and education on local history in South Carolina’s capital city.

A product of Columbia’s Richland School District One, Robin attended Middlebury College in Middlebury, Vermont where she received a bachelor of arts with a double major in Art History and Russian. She received a Master of Arts in Art History from the University of SC in 1996 and subsequently began work at the South Carolina State Museum. She served in a variety of capacities including the chief curator of art, which was her position when she left the State Museum to work with Historic Columbia.

As Executive Director for Historic Columbia, Robin has overseen the transformation of the historic buildings and grounds; established an expansive community engagement program in Columbia and Richland County; and spearheaded a number of major historic preservation efforts including the Palmetto Compress Warehouse and the 1600 block of Main Street. In 2019 with HC staff and community partners she joined an effort to document and share stories of Columbia’s queer community.

TRANS CHAT M. GREG GREEN will lead a virtual presentation and discussion on Transgender Issues.

Where: Via Zoom from the comfort of your OWN Home.

When: Tuesday, April 28

6:30 PM Program: TRANS CHAT will cover current Transgender Issues and Concerns followed by questions and discussion. The meeting will be done via Zoom. Your RSVP is required to receive the login information and meeting ID #.

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About M. Greg Green - Greg Green is a Motivational Speaker and Transgender activist for equality. EVERYONE deserves an equal chance.

MORE JUSTICE Midlands Organized Response for Equity and Justice

From Ken Watkins, Openings President:

March 24 Openings Event Cancelled & Program Postponed Until Further Notice

The Openings Program Committee met to discuss the upcoming schedule of Openings events. Because of our concern for the health and safety of attendees, speakers, and host churches, and in an abundance of caution, we have decided to postpone the March 24 Openings program at the Garden of Grace Church. The Openings Administrative Board will be meeting April 2 to review the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) situation at that time, and will make an announcement about future programs.

We appreciate your involvement in Openings, and look forward to resuming a regular schedule of events when it is safe to meet again. In the meantime, please be careful. Especially those over the age of 60 with preexisting conditions should avoid attending events with crowds because of the increased risk for complications associated with COVID-19.

Join Openings at a later date for a presentation and discussion on the organization MORE JUSTICE. Future program will be lead by Rabbi Jonathan Case from Beth Shalom Synagogue and Pastor Tim Bupp from Reformation Lutheran Church.

MORE Justice is a growing network of faith-based congregations which are culturally, economically, racially, geographically and religiously diverse – coming together to fulfill our scriptural mandate to “do justice” and make the Central Midlands area a more just place to live for all people.

Member congregations work together to empower marginalized people and act powerfully to address serious community wide problems through direct action. We accomplish this by identifying a problem, doing research, educating the public, and publicly addressing the root causes of, and solutions to, poverty and injustice in our communities.

MORE Justice is unique in its approach in that it transforms the systems that cause suffering by holding local officials accountable for resolving these inequities and injustices.

Where: TBD

When: TBD

6:00 PM Dinner $15/person payable with cash/check to “Openings" at the door

6:30 PM Program

FUTURE SPEAKERS -
Jonathan Case is Rabbi of Beth Shalom Synagogue, and has served as a spiritual guide and minister for more than three decades. Having degrees from Columbia University, Jewish Theological Seminary, and Leo Baeck College in London, Rabbi Case has studied under some of the greatest masters of this past century.

Beth Shalom Synagogue has a long and illustrious history, which extends back one hundred years and counting! It is a welcoming community that cherishes each of its members, and rejoices in one another’s accomplishments, and supports each other in times of pain and loneliness. We recognize that no one is alike. We look different from one another. We have different lifestyles, choices, and have diverse personalities. But this is where we gather in joy. As is usually translated, the name of our home is Beth Shalom, House of Peace. Yet, the real source of Shalom is “whole” or “complete.” What we seek to provide for our members and the Jewish community is a sense of wholeness.

Tim Bupp is Pastor of Reformation Lutheran Church, a Reconciling in Christ Congretation.

Pastor Tim Bupp’s Journey: My faith & professional journey has been a wandering one, starting with my first exposure to church and religion at the age of 10 in my Grandma’s Holiness Church with “hellfire-and-brimstone” preaching. My Grandma married my Grandpa Ira, a black man, in the early 1950’s, and they had to move because Pennsylvania’s cohabitation laws prevented them from living together. That social injustice made me angry then and continues to underpin my ministry outlook today. After a disappointing stint at a Presbyterian church, I swore off both church and religion.

But when I married Kathy and our second child was due we decided to find a church home. We visited the nearby Lutheran Church and were very attracted by the pastor’s emphasis that we do not need to earn our way to heaven, but instead, that we are called to respond to God’s love by sharing that love with others. Over the next years, the pastor asked me to work with the youth, then to help with catechism, and then to preach when he was out of town. Finally, he asked, “Did you ever think of ordained ministry?” I laughed profusely! To get into Seminary, I’d need an undergraduate degree — after barely graduating from high school and working only in steel mills. With his and Kathy’s help, I went to Slippery Rock University full time, graduated, and began my journey as a seminarian at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg. In my last semester at seminary, I worked as a Lay Worship Leader at Grace Lutheran Church in Butler, PA. As the semester came to an end, Grace Lutheran called me as their Pastor. This appointment was followed by one that brought me to Lexington SC. When looking for a new challenge, I learned about Reformation Lutheran Church, a Reconciling in Christ congregation. I accepted their call in August 2013 and now serve an awesome church filled with radical hospitality, where my interracial Grandma and Grandpa could have attended; a Congregation where my lesbian daughter and her partner can attend; and a Congregation willing to live out the fullness of Jesus’ grace, identified with his radical love and inclusiveness.

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Lessons from the Holocaust - Panel Discussion with Q&A

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Join us on the Third Tuesday of November to hear a multicultural perspective from our panel as they detail their experiences of Jewish life and lead a discussion of the lessons we can draw from the Holocaust.

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Our speakers' panel will include:

The Holocaust, Its roots, Its aim, The End: Rabbi Jonathan Case
The Hispanic and Jewish Experience: Gerald Cruzado
The Black and Jewish Experience: James Cooper
The Gay and Jewish Experience: Naomi Simmons

6:30 PM Dinner
$15/person payable with cash/check to “Openings" at the door.

7:00 PM Program

PANELISTS

Rabbi Jonathan Case is spiritual leader of Beth Shalom Synagogue where he has headed the congregation for eleven years. Author of two books, Case is presently working on the Biblical view of the existence of evil. He is active in community affairs, seeking justice (MORE Justice) and participating in events that raise the level of safety and integrity for all.

Naomi Simmons is originally from Pennsylvania. She moved to South Carolina in 2005 to attend graduate school at the University of South Carolina where she received her PhD in Sociology. Naomi is currently an Assistant Professor at Newberry College where she also advises the Newberry College Social Justice Club and Spectrum, a new campus LGBTQ+ group. Naomi lives in Irmo with her wife Jen and two children.

James E. Cooper is a native of Brooklyn N.Y. and moved to Columbia S.C. in 1973 to attend Benedict College graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Economics/Business Administration with a second major in Therapeutic Recreation. He obtained his Master’s degree in Health Services Management from Webster University. James has over twenty years working in various leadership positions in health and human services delivery systems for marginalized populations.

James is currently employed as a Quality Improvement Project Manager in Behavioral Health for WellCare Health Plan S.C. Inc. He is responsible for performing behavioral health quality functions, particularly activities to ensure compliance with NCQA/HEDIS accreditation. James serves on the Board of Directors of Beth Shalom Synagogue in Columbia SC. He also serves on the Columbia Jewish Federation Board. James is married, has two daughters and two grandchildren.

Join us to hear about the origins of South Carolina Pride from our very special guest speakers, Harriet Hancock and Matt Tischler!

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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22ND

6:00PM DINNER / 6:30PM PROGRAM

ST. MARTIN'S-IN-THE-FIELDS 5220 CLEMSON AVE COLUMBIA, SC 29206