We Are Family in the Media

WAF is on the front lines advocating with and for our LGBTQ+ community. We consistently work with our young people and their families to help them develop as speakers and advocates on their own behalf. Below are some of the media coverage we have received over the past few years.

How We Are Family’s thrift store is creating community for LGBTQ+ youth in Charleston

Post and Courier - 4/13/23

We Are Family is the second-oldest LGBTQ+ charity and support organization in South Carolina, and these group therapy and peer support sessions for minors and young adults represent just one side of this community center-thrift store hybrid.

“When you’re in a queer-friendly space, you don’t realize the weight that’s on your shoulders,” said Lucy, one of the teens attending last month’s SafeSpace session at Closet Case.

Ruggerio: State lawmakers must stop attacks on LGBTQ youths

Charleston City Paper - 3/20/22

“These systematic attacks on LGBTQ+ youth, who want nothing more than dignity and respect to live their authentic selves, take a toll on their mental health… We need to focus on building a South Carolina where everyone– including LGBTQ+ youth– can thrive.”

RUGGERIO: Park Circle Pride’s community approach uplifts LGBTQ+ in Charleston

Charleston City Paper - 6/20/21

“There’s no doubt this inclusive approach to celebrating pride better meets the needs of the multiplicity of experiences within the LGBTQ+ community. We are at our strongest when we can foster a dynamic, evolving LGBTQ+ and allied community that is empowered to explore, embrace, and learn from the complexities that exist within and between our experiences.”

Is Pride for adults only? How SC is working to better support, cater to LGBTQ+ youth

The State - 6/18/21

Domenico Ruggerio, the new executive director of the Charleston queer youth support organization We Are Family, said the slew of anti-transgender legislation seen in South Carolina this year and around the country comes from the fact that trans youth are “an easy target.”

South Carolina lawmakers sought this year to bar doctors from providing gender-affirming health care to minors and prevent transgender girls from competing in K-12 school sports.

We Are Family Announces New Executive Director

Holy City Sinner - 6/7/21

The We Are Family Board of Directors today announced the appointment of Domenico Ruggerio as the next Executive Director, following an extensive national search. Domenico will succeed Nijeeah Richardson, who is stepping down this month for a new role with Southern Vision Alliance and will be based in New Orleans, LA.

First LGBTQ-dedicated hub in Lowcountry to open in North Charleston Saturday

Post and Courier - 8/5/19

The tri-county region’s LGBTQ community will soon have a space to call its own.

The Alliance for Full Acceptance, Charleston Pride and We Are Family will host a grand opening Saturday for the Lowcountry’s first LGBTQ-dedicated office, retail and community space at 1801 Reynolds Ave. in North Charleston.

Charleston Queer Prom will take place within an enchanted rainbow forest

Post And Courier - 5/6/19

“An enchanted rainbow forest is the setting for this year’s Charleston Queer Prom.

The annual event organized by We Are Family and Closet Case Thrift offers a safe space for middle and high school members of the LGBTQ community to dance to their hearts’ content without judgment.”

We Are Family will open new office, move out of All of Us homeless center in January

Charleston City Paper - 11/13/18

“We Are Family will move out of the homeless resource center it helped open this past summer and into a stand-alone office in January.

The exact location of the new office will be revealed at a fundraiser for the LGBTQ youth organization next month, according to a press release sent Tuesday.”

24-year-old Nijeeah Richardson set to take over leadership of the LGBTQ nonprofit We Are Family

Charleston City Paper - 8/24/18

Richardson will take over as executive director in January 2019.

"I know that Melissa always wanted to transition of We Are Family as executive director and pass the torch to younger generation of activists and community leaders, and I’m just honored that I’m the person," Richardson said.

Moving Forward for LGBTQ Rights, Not Just Fighting Back

REWIRE NEWS - 4/12/16

“To advance true equality, activists need to do more than just fight back. We need to have a more proactive vision for what equality even looks like. That vision encompasses the broad spectrum of human rights abuses, and it centers those whose voices are often left out and who are harmed most by anti-LGBTQ laws and inequality: young people, people of color, and the transgender community.”

Lowcountry school boards face school closings and transgender debate

CHARLESTON CITY PAPER - 5/18/16

“Having spoken before the Berkeley County School Board, Melissa Moore, executive director of LGBTQ nonprofit We Are Family, applauded the Department of Education's announcement and encouraged local and state educators to comply with these guidelines.

"Finally, the struggles faced by transgender and gender non-conforming youth are getting the attention that they deserve. It is transgender people who are more often the targets of harassment and sexual assault, not the other way around," she said.”

Transgender students face challenges from Columbia and in the classroom

CHARLESTON CITY PAPER - 4/20/16

“Unlike many districts, Charleston County has a policy in place that specifically protects students from bullying based on gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression. In 2014, local LGBT advocacy groups We Are Family and the Alliance for Full Acceptance worked with faculty and staff in the district to inform educators about the issues faced by gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender students across the county.”