Palmetto Umoja was created in 2003 by a group of concerned gays and lesbians of colors and their allies. Each had different reasons for starting Palmetto Umoja; some were concerned with how the religious right was manipulating the African-American community in the marriage equality argument, some were upset over the lack of visibility in both the black and gay communities, and others were there to support their friends and family members who were gay and lesbian.
Whatever the reasons were, they all agreed that African-American gays and lesbians in South Carolina needed an organization that catered solely to their needs. GLBTs of color make up a significant part of the African-American and gay communities.
According to the 2000 Census: Thirteen percent of the U.S. population is black, and 14 percent of all the same-sex couples in the U.S. include at least one black person.
Three in five Black lesbian households (61%) have mothers raising children.
Black female same-sex households include children at about the same rate as Black married opposite-sex couple households (61% vs. 69%)
Black female same-sex households include non-biological (fostered or adopted) children
Black male same-sex households parent at about two-thirds the rate of Black married opposite-sex couples (46% vs. 69%)
Black male same-sex households include non-biological children at a slightly lower rate than Black married opposite sex households (10% vs. 13%)
