Anyone here from South Carolina?

[madamesilverspurs]

I have a family member there who is dealing with a bad domestic situation; he's not from there, so doesn't have any local backup. He's also a member of the special needs community, and it's looking like his erstwhile partner has taken advantage in a number of ways. Anyway, if you could point to some groups or agencies that might be of help -- Simpsonville area.

Thanks much!

[Warpy]

1. If his partner has taken advantage financially

he needs to see a lawyer. While there are few services in rural SC, he might be able to find help through Legal Aid in Columbia.

He'll probably need a family member there to help him get set up with this and to help him with a new living situation.

The rural south is probably the worst place for this to happen.

[madamesilverspurs]

2. Thanks.

His dad is now there with him and they have started legal proceedings. Dad is, unfortunately, the family rightwinger and very much a fundamentalist. He's trying to reconcile with his son, there is progress but it's been difficult. The former partner is contesting the eviction from the house, this is going to be a nasty situation all around.

[Warpy]

3. It's good that his dad is being a dad

A lot of gay sons would be left out in the cold completely. It's taken a lot for his dad to step up to the plate, even if he fails overall because of the fundy programming.

It sounds like everything is progressing the way it should, at least for now. Because of the regional hostility to gays (and I lived right across the border in NC so I know), his partner is not going to be dealt with very well, at all. He'll be seen as an exploiter and sexual predator, whether or not the latter is correct.