Darby Wilcox and Greenville County SC LGBTQ community celebrates

So before the Great Shutdown of 2020, I had two fantastic experiences. “You had to be there live” experiences.

The first part traces back to 1996. The Olympic Torch is winding its way to Atlanta, and in a fit of political pique the County Council votes in a nonsense resolution stating that gay culture is incompatible with Greenville County lifestyles and family. The torch detours around Greenville County, all is forgotten for 24 years.

A generation later, this resolution rears its ugly head and although it had no force of law to begin with, people want to see it repudiated. Two months of political wrangling ensues.

Fast forward to March 11, 2020. A special county meeting is called with only one agenda item, a vote to sunset all resolutions after four years (and thus not affirming or negating the 1996 resolution, just making it go away.) By 2:45, council chambers were at their 217-person capacity, and the crowd swelled into the hallway.

March 11, 3PM, Greenville County chambers. The meeting started with Willis Meadows offering a long prayer filled with God’s compassion upon all the sinners. It was gracious, in the “You’re going to hell and I’m praying for you” sort of way. I like the man, and at the same time he represents everything we are shaking off as we smash the patriarchy. Many long and tedious Robert’s Rules of Orders votes later…motions, votes to call the vote, votes…the resolution to sunset resolutions after four years passes. A tiny tiny victory.

And the celebration! To see that Greenville County can have such a great number of advocates and supporters and love for all families, that love is love, and love will prevail, it was a Moment in Time. That swell of exuberant joy was a force you could see and hear, like a wave upon the ocean, not quite a tidal wave. Certainly a big one. A wave we can surf and take joy in as it crashes on the shore.

March 12, 9PM, Swanson’s Warehouse. The public is already considering social distancing – I was cautious and kept my distance from people, kept my hands clean and to myself – and yet we celebrated and rode that wave. Joy in the fact that Greenville County was moving away from condemning gay lifestyles bit-by-bit. The mood in the room was a huge party, listening to the band and engaging and dancing.

If that was my last crowd experience for a year, I am satisfied. Live shows which truly work to bring everyone along on a shared journey are precious. Live music is important and I pray it continues again very very soon. In the meantime – enjoy this playlist.

https://www.realsouthrecords.com/darbywilcox