Who Are We?

Our Mission: The mission of Rock Hill for Equality is to promote and advocate for the equality of LGBT citizens, to better the Rock Hill community through community outreach projects, and to ultimately overturn South Carolina’s same sex marriage ban. Originally a Social Media outreach group, Rock Hill for Equality is now growing with the intent of activism and raising awareness. Though based out of Rock Hill, Rock Hill for Equality fights for the rights of LGBT citizens across the state of South Carolina.

Who We Are: Rock Hill for Equality is a non profit, “grass roots” organization founded in Rock Hill, South Carolina on April 19th, 2014 by three native South Carolinian’s. Gabriel Paxton of Winthrop University is the founder of the organization with the managing help of Blake White of Winthrop University and Daniel Oliver of Warren Wilson University. These three men created this organization in hopes of forming a social movement in the Piedmont/York county area and were blessed with the overwhelming support of you guys… The followers! The group drew major success within the first 72 hours of its presence receiving 300+ Facebook likes and multiple messages from similar organizations and politicians who wanted to help and endorse our cause. The overwhelming early support motivated us to form this website in which we hope to gather further recognition and become a vocal platform for those in our state who are rendered voiceless. Thus, through this website Rock Hill for Equality would like to extend an invitation to the citizens of South Carolina to join us in our fight for marriage equality.

Founders:

Director and Founder, Gabriel Paxton

Hello! My name is Gabriel Paxton, and I am a junior at Winthrop University majoring in Political Science and Religious studies with a minor in Peace and Conflict Resolution studies. While at Winthrop I am a student athlete competing in Cross Country, Indoor and Outdoor Track. I have two years of experience working for various non-profits ranging on issues from nuclear non-proliferation to marriage equality. Aside from my work in social activism I have a passion for politics and have served on the Bernie Sanders campaign as well as various state and local campaigns. My research areas of specialty include school resegregation in the southeast and the influence of religious extremism on political factions. This group means so much to me and it is all due to the love and support of our followers. Being born and raised here in Rock Hill, SC I hope to one day look back and see that this organization and your support were the driving forces for change in this city. Thanks for all the love and keep the fight going!

Co-Founder Blake White

My name is Blake White. I’m currently a senior at Winthrop University and majoring in Sociology with a minor in Business Administration. I am also a student-athlete and a member of the Winthrop Cross Country, Indoor and Outdoor Track teams. I am passionate about this young, fresh organization and also confident we can make an impact in the Rock Hill community. I am amazed by the outpouring of support we have received from Rock Hill and cannot wait to see what is in store for us in the future.

Co-Founder Daniel Oliver

Hello. I am Daniel Oliver. I am at Warren Wilson College in Asheville NC. I have grown up and lived in Rock Hill my entire life. Having close personal ties to people within the LGBTQ community, and having always been taught that all humans are equal, showing my support and doing what I can to promote equality is very important to me. I am so glad to be apart of this organization with my peers and with the community of Rock Hill to hopefully make a change in our city! I look forward to seeing what this organization can accomplish and I thank you for your support!