Gay pride parade charleston

Home / places venues / Gay pride parade charleston

The average Charlestonian, like most Americans, has nothing against gays, lesbians, or bisexuals; what they oppose is being lectured, disrespected, and demanded to reorder society to appease an obnoxious few.

Charleston and the Democrats who call it home are no strangers to propping up lost causes. Special meetings may be called by four (4) members of the Board with three (3) to ten (10) days' notice via eMail or Slack.

Section 2.

These decisions must be documented and reported at the next regular meeting.

Section 2. Join today!

Cost: $15 / month

As a Friend of Pride, you'll receive:

- Free access for all major events (Toast to Equality, Charleston Pride Festival VIP, Prism Party and more)**

- Quarterly updates from the Executive Board of Directors - postcard via mail

- Early access to exclusive community and partnership events

Membership benefits:

- Exclusive gift during Pride Month

- Free access to all major events (Toast to Equality, Charleston Pride Festival VIP, Prism Party, and more)**

- Meet & Greets with performers at signature events

Cancellation:

New members will not receive a discounted ticket if their account is canceled within 30 days of an event.

Pride Month 2025 was a well-deserved flop.

Meetings

The Board shall meet at least once monthly. Whether it was insisting an entire race was less than human or insisting thoughts and feelings can transform men into women, no one ever accused the Democrats of having a good idea. Co-Chair – Assists the Chair, assumes responsibilities in their absence, leads internal coordination, and ensures accountability across departments.

  • Secretary – Maintains official records, meeting minutes, attendance, and internal documentation.
  • Treasurer – Manages all financial records, reporting, budgeting, and compliance with nonprofit finance standards.

Departmental Leadership & Functional Areas:

The Board shall designate Department Heads or Functional Leads for major areas of operation.

These roles may be filled by elected officers or additional Board members and may vary based on CPF’s yearly goals.

Key departments may include:

- Director of Parade - Director of Festival- Director of Pride Week- Community Engagement- Marketing & Communications- Volunteer Coordination- Sponsorship Development - Entertainment & Production- Education & Outreach- Technology / Digital Platforms- Monthly Events & Socials

Each department head may appoint Assistants or Team Leads to support their responsibilities.

Volunteers may also serve under departments on an as-needed basis.

Collaboration & Flexibility:

Board members are encouraged to work across departments and support multiple areas.

Functional roles are flexible and may be reassigned by majority vote.

Departments operate semi-independently but are accountable to the full Board and must report regularly.

Decision-Making & Emergency Actions:

  • All Board members maintain equal voting rights, unless otherwise suspended by majority vote.
  • Administrative staff (Chair, Co-Chair, Secretary, Treasurer) do not hold unilateral power to override Board decisions.
  • Time-sensitive decisions may be made by the Chair or Co-Chair in collaboration with administrative staff, but require approval from at least 66% of Board members.

    Across the country, rainbow flags hung limply over half-empty festivals—if they went up at all—while corporations quietly let June pass without the ritualistic rainbow logos on social media. Recruitment may also occur through referrals from current or former Board members.

Section 5.

CPF values and upholds principles of equity, transparency, and inclusivity in all Board activities and decisions.

Section 2.

Plus, enjoy FREE access to all major events this year! Your monthly donation helps us host events, continue local partnerships, and cover essential costs. This calendar year applies to all Board members except the Treasurer, whose term shall align with the organization’s fiscal year.

LEGAL AND GOVERNANCE NOTE

South Carolina law requires nonprofit organizations to maintain three officer roles: President (Chair), Secretary, and Treasurer.

CPF fulfills this obligation by designating these roles solely for administrative purposes.

These designations shall not imply hierarchical authority.

CPF operates under a role-based collective governance model in which all Board members hold equal voting rights and responsibility.

REVISED 6-16-2025

Preamble

These Bylaws govern the operation, structure, and decision-making processes of Charleston Pride Festival, Inc.

(CPF). Voting Procedures

Voting on Board matters may occur in the following formats:

  • By a show of hands, with the option to vote tally.
  • By verbal affirmation, provided the vote is clearly counted and recorded
  • By written vote upon request, wherein each voting member shall submit their vote privately in writing, to be counted and recorded by a designated member

Unless otherwise specified:

  • A simple majority of members present is required for general business
  • Amendments to these Bylaws require a two-thirds (2/3) vote
  • Dissolution of CPF requires eighty percent (80%) of members present and a unanimous vote among them

Tie votes shall be subject to an additional fifteen (15) minutes of discussion followed by a second vote.

If tied again, the issue shall be resolved by the Chair.

No individual Board member may act unilaterally on behalf of CPF without express approval of the Board.

ARTICLE IV: DEFINITIONS

  • Quorum: Sixty percent (60%) of current Board members
  • Simple Majority: More than fifty percent (50%) of Board members present
  • CPF Calendar: Refers to the annual schedule of core events—Parade, Festival, and Prism Party—which may occur in different months each year.

    We all know that the community is a playground of vice. This is, after all, where the Civil War began—and in the minds of a few, where it still smolders.

This designation is mandatory and will occur annually to confirm or reassign leadership roles and determine the operating structure for the upcoming year.

The Board of Directors ("Board") shall consist of up to fifteen (15) members.

Charleston Pride Festival, Inc.

shall operate under the structural model outlined in these Bylaws, which establishes core leadership roles while empowering department-based collaboration and flexibility across the Board.

Core Administrative Roles (Elected Annually):

These roles provide strategic direction, operational oversight, and administrative continuity

They are elected by the Board at the first mandatory meeting following Pride Festival, as set in the CPF Calendar.

  • Chair – Heads the organization, represents CPF publicly, oversees long-term planning, and provides strategic leadership.

    Elections

    Board members shall be elected to two-year terms and may serve a maximum of two consecutive terms.

    After serving two consecutive terms, a Board member must observe a two-year hiatus before seeking re-election unless waived by a majority vote of the Board.

    In the event of a vacancy, the Board may publicly advertise the position for a minimum of two (2) weeks.

    gay pride parade charleston

    Rotation and Accountability

    Based on these bylaws, functional roles, committee leadership, or officer duties may be rotated or reassigned by majority vote of the Board.

    Members holding designated responsibilities shall provide regular updates to the full Board and fulfill the expectations of their assigned roles in alignment with CPF’s mission.

    Section 3.

    Governing Instruments

    All conduct-related policies, including behavioral expectations, grievances, and disciplinary procedures, are now outlined in the CPF Board Member Code of Conduct (2025) and are not included in this governance document.

    CPF shall be governed by its Articles of Incorporation and these Bylaws.

    All meetings of CPF shall be conducted using modified Robert’s Rules of Order.

    ARTICLE II: BOARD OF DIRECTORS

    Section 1.

    Americans of all stripes have grown weary of being pummeled with identity politics and sexual exhibitionism disguised as “family-friendly” entertainment. It’s worth noting that Charleston’s newly elected Republican mayor, William Cogswell, is the first Republican to lead the city since the 1870s. Meetings

    The Board shall meet at least once monthly.

    Decision-Making Process

    All official decisions of the Board shall be made by a simple majority of members present, unless otherwise specified in these Bylaws.

    No individual Board member may act unilaterally on behalf of CPF without express Board approval.

    Urgent or time-sensitive matters may be brought to a vote at any meeting without prior notice, provided a quorum is present and the matter is introduced with a motion and a second.

    In cases where immediate action is required between meetings, the Chair or Co-Chair may initiate an electronic vote or act with the consultation of administrative staff, provided that at least 66% of Board members approve the action.

    All such actions must be documented and reported at the next regular meeting.

    Electronic voting is permitted for emergency decisions when authorized by the Chair or Co-Chair.

    ARTICLE IV: BOARD OPERATIONS

    Section 1.

    This document affirms the organization’s commitment to transparency, equity, collaboration, and community service, and shall serve as a living framework for leadership and participation.

    ARTICLE I: ORGANIZATION AND MISSION

    Section 1.