Good morning, and thank you so much for signing the petition to support the Pride Festival scheduled for 11/18 in Port Royal, SC. When I originally thought about sending a Monday morning update, I figured I'd be highlighting 300 signatures. Instead, you've pushed that count to nearly 600 signatures in less than 48 hours! Thank you again for the comments, shares, and support. Please continue spreading the word - it'd be awesome to hit 1000 signatures this week.

Though the signature count is fun to watch, the main reason I'm sending this update is because I received permission to share a few personal stories about what Lowcountry Pride, and Pride festivals, have meant to local community members. I wanted you to know that your help makes a significant impact on real people in the Port Royal and Beaufort County community (and beyond). So please read this story from a local parent, and check out the suggestions at the bottom of this message to learn about sustaining this cause's momentum.

When our child came out a few years ago we searched far and wide in our local churches for a safe place for our family to process this situation. We were evangelical Christians and what we thought was safe and welcome before now felt shaming and degrading. The week we decided there were no safe churches in the area our youth pastor gave us the information about Pride starting a Parent Support Group, hosted by Lowcountry Pride. We have been linked arm and arm with Lowcountry Pride since then. We've renamed it to the Parent Community Group now, because support is just built into this community. My kids are loved, accepted and celebrated. There is no safer place for queer kids in Beaufort County than Lowcountry Pride. -- Leslie Lovegrove

While I'm sure this petition will send a great message to Town of Port Royal decision makers on its own, there are more ways you can help community members like Leslie if you have the chance:

You can write or call the mayor and council members to express support for the festival. Contact info here: https://www.portroyal.org/Directory.aspx?did=18

You can plan on attending the next Town Council workshop (9/6) or full council meeting (9/13) to make a public comment or support public commenters. Both meetings start at 6:30 p.m. and are held at Port Royal's Town Hall - 700 Paris Ave, Port Royal, SC 29935. Simply joining supporters in the audience makes a big impact.

And, of course, you can add the Pride Festival to your calendar and come out to support the event and its sponsors in person! I hope to see you on November 18, 2023 @ Live Oaks Park in Port Royal.

Again, thank you all for your tremendous showing of support, and I hope you have a wonderful week.