Results of the first ever needs assessment of the LGBTQ community in Spartanburg County, South Carolina

1. Findings Report
January 2018
L G B T Q N E E D S A S S E S S M E N T

2. Purpose
& Preview
• Needs assessments
collect data &
connect worlds
• Inclusive
communities are
better places to live
and do business
“If something is not
counted, it is neither
seen nor understood.
For all intents and
purposes, it does not
exist.”
– Praveen Fernandes, NY Times, 2017

3. LGBTQ in South Carolina
• Richland and Charleston Counties are the only counties with LGBTQ
non-discrimination laws for government employees (SC Equality, 2014)
• Spartanburg County currently ranks 15th in the state for the number of
same-sex couples per capita (2015 Census Data)
• Recent real estate report ranked Spartanburg the 6th best city in SC for
LGBTQ families (MOVOTO Real Estate, 2016)
Graphic: Funders for LGBTQ Issues, 2014

4. Spartanburg County LGBTQ Needs
Assessment Survey Respondents
LGBTQ Survey Findings
• Age:
o Range from 14 to 87
o Average age 33
• Race/Ethnicity:
o White/Caucasian: 85%
o Black/African American: 8%
o Hispanic: 4%
• Religion:
o 21 different religions (excluding atheism/ agnosticism)
mentioned
o 20% regularly attend church – 27% who don’t would like to
Survey
population
Respondents
LGBTQ 188
Professionals 95
Allies 115

5. Man
35%
Woman
45%
Transgender
Man
6%
Transgender
Woman
2% Gender
Queer
3%
Gender
Nonconform
6%
Questioning
3%
Survey Respondent Demographics
Sexual Orientation Gender Identity
Gay
32%
Lesbian
30%
Bisexual
14%
Queer
8%
Pansexual
10%
Straight
2% Question.
1%
SGL
1%
Asexual
2%

6. Race & LGBTQ:
Intersectionality in
Spartanburg County
• 92% of Black/Biracial
respondents said being LGBTQ is
less accepted in the Black
community
• 85% said the mainstream LGBTQ
community doesn’t reflect the
needs of Black or Biracial LGBTQ
People
“The way I experience racism is influenced by me being gay. The
way I experience heterosexism is also influenced by me being
Black. My experience with these two oppressions happens
simultaneously. I don't feel at home amongst heterosexual black
men and I don't feel at home around a bunch of gay white men.
My comfort zone is around gay Black men”

7. Key Findings:
“Out” at work
& school
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
Family Co-Workers Supervisor Students Teachers
Who knows your gender identity?
Yes
No
Don't Know
0
20
40
60
80
100
Family Co-Workers Supervisor Students Teachers
Who knows your sexual orientation?
Yes
No
Don't Know

8. Key Findings:
Professionals
Survey
Yes
31%
No
48%
Don't
Know or
doesn't
apply
21%
Does your workplace currently offer LGBTQ
competency training?
• Although 55% of those polled said they have had co-workers stick up for
them, 70% have heard people at work say mean things about LGBTQ
people in general.
• Majority polled (70%) said that their LGBTQ co-workers or clients
experienced a lack of family support.
• Majority polled (77%) do not think they would lose clients or financial
support if they publicly support or welcome LGBTQ clients or members
of their organization

9. Key Findings:
Allies Survey
• Majority of allies (52%) report that an LGBTQ person close to
them has been isolated from or rejected by people their age and
54% report they have been isolated from or rejected by their
family
• 60% of allies say someone close to them experienced bullying or
harassment because of their LGBTQ status
• Most allies (80%) expressed concern for the safety and well-
being of LGBTQ friends and family members, and 50% say that
some or all of the LGBTQ people in their life do not have
someone else to support them.

10. Key Findings:
Health
“I would love to go to a place where LGBT people can feel comfortable. I have never
been to a clinic that has a place to put your preferred pronouns. In the past, doctors
offices have assumed that I'm straight and have asked me lots of questions about birth
control, pregnancy, and condoms and I've felt uncomfortable because I'm not sure how
to work into the conversation that I'm gay.”
0
20
40
60
80
100
Yes No Don't Know
Percent
Gender Identity Sexual Orientation
Does your doctor know that you identify as LGBT?
The vast majority of respondents
55 and older are either somewhat
or very concerned about:
• meeting other LGBTQ
people
• finding home health care
providers or nursing homes
that are LGBTQ friendly
• facing legal difficulties
when a partner dies.

11. Key Findings:
Mental Health &
Safety
Experiences over the past two years
Yes
Feeling really sad or depressed for a long time 69%
Feeling anxious or panicked for a long time 70%
Feeling like you wished you were dead 50%
Thought about killing yourself 45%
Used drugs or alcohol to block out bad feelings 38%
Have been homeless or had no place to live 15%

12. Key Takeaways
• The majority of respondents overall
discussed wanting more opportunities
to meet other LGBTQ people and to be
able to be open about their sexual
orientation or gender identity without
fear of prejudice, exclusion, or
violence.
• Spartanburg County members of the
LGBTQ community wish to live and
work in the county but will leave if they
don’t feel accepted

13. Many Thanks
To you: Engaging in conversations about LGBTQ
issues contributes to the development of a more
inclusive and equal Spartanburg County
• To our Advisory Board Members:
o Converse College, PFLAG, Piedmont Care, Speaking Down
Barriers, TOUT, Upstate Pride, USC Upstate, Wofford College
• To Financial Backers:
o LGBT Fund, Freeman Foundation, & Spartanburg County
Foundation
For questions, contact Dr. Emily Kofoed – ekofoed@uscupstate.edu