Latest revision as of 10:55, 1 May 2010

Introduction and Scope

The Gay Community Center of Richmond is pleased to offer this exhibit detailing the LGBTQ history of Richmond, Virginia. While focused on our lives after 1969, the exhibit also includes pre-Stonewall history. We are excited to use this platform to continue our efforts to document our community and its people.

The OutHistory.org Since Stonewall project provided the impetus to this effort, but Richmond has made significant efforts to preserve its LGBTQ history for years. The Cabell Library at Virginia Commonwealth University holds a substantial collection of material on our community's history. The Virginia Historical Society - one of the oldest archives in the nation - annually devotes resources to the collection and cataloguing of documents related to LGBT history.

Richmond is an old place, at least in American terms. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender people have always been a part of its history. This exhibit is dedicated to all those who challenged the norms of society, who lived free and honest lives, and who moved us forward - maybe just a little, but always forward.

Exhibit Sections

Rainbow Richmond Timeline

Richmond's LGBTQ timleline since 1969.

Before The Rebellion

Early Virginia History: Reconstructing History

The history of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community in Richmond, Virginia pre-Stonewall is often hidden and hard to find, but it wends itself through the historical narrative of the city of Richmond and the state of Virginia. This hidden narrative mirrors the hidden, underground existence of LGBTQ individuals; there was probably no LGBTQ “community” in existence until the 1900s, but “gay” individuals can be found.

The Social and Cultural Elite and the Hidden "Gay" Society

As the 20th Century approached and started, more records can be found about relationships which, seen through today’s constructs, were gay and lesbian. These relationships were still discreet and conducted in private, but some sense of community was developing, with gatherings in private homes and other social/recreational activities.

On The Cusp

Developing Identity: A Prelude to Activism

The mid 1900’s was a time of transition towards more visibility and activism in Richmond as well as the rest of the United States which led to the “Stonewall Era.” Like many communities, the LGBTQ community remained underground, hidden and discreet, but gathering places were developing, primarily bars and restaurants. This nascient identity was important in developing the activism of the next decades.

Since Stonewall

The Beginnnings of Pride: Standing Up, Speaking Out and Organizing

The initial, public steps of standing up for gay and lesbian rights began with the 1969 editorial by Patch Adams condemning discrimination and continued with the rapid mobilization of the community in Richmond.

Sense of Community: Turned Inward by the AIDS Crisis

While many political activities continued, the AIDS Crisis had an incredibly strong, at times debilitating, influence over the actions of the LGBTQ community during the mid 1980s through the mid 1990s. The LGBTQ Community continued to grow, more people found their voices and came out, but the voices were often muted or drowned out by the overwhelming facts of the AIDS Crisis.

The Fight Continues - Major Court Battles Ensue in the 1990s

There were several major court battles that emerged in the 1990's that would help continue to shape and define the battle for LGBTQ rights in Virginia. The community was emerging from the shock of the AIDS epidemic, and the energy of the community was renewed and refocused in the political arena.

Rainbow Richmond in the Twenty-First Century

Much progress has been made in the years since Stonewall, but even now many challenges remain. Virginia is a conservative state and there are always new battles,and new indignities and new injustices to fight. The Twenty-first century has given LGBTQ Virginians first a law and then a constitutional amendment that prohibits the recognition of our relationships.

Photo Galleries

Take a tour of Rainbow Richmond in photos from Pride events, protests, community gatherings and much more.

Pride In Pictures Through The Years

Politics and Protests

Acknowledgments and Credits

From Cindy Bray, Author/Editor:

Richmond had a rich, varied LGBTQ history prior to the Stonewall era and a history of activism in the post-Stonewall era. There has been a continuing call for equality, sometimes a whisper and sometimes a roar. Today we owe a great deal to the people in the past who had the courage to stand up, be heard and come out.

Much of the information contained in this exhibit came from reading years of newspapers and newsletters including Our Own Community Press and The Richmond Pride, from the book Lesbian and Gay Richmond by Beth Marschak and Alex Lorch, and from numerous conversations with people who lived the history of Richmond since Stonewall. I owe Beth Marschak and Alex Lorch a great deal for allowing me to use the information contained in their book liberally. In addition to Beth, I have had the pleasure of speaking with several people who have been vital in the history of the community through the years, including Barbara “Bobbi” Weinstock, Stanley Kelsey, Stephanie Myers, Guy Kinman and Neal Parsons, and I look forward to more in-depth conversations with them in the future.

The terms “lesbians and gay men” are used frequently throughout the exhibit instead of LGBTQ, or sexual and gender minorities, in deference to the wording used in the reference materials and the practice at the time. Efforts were made to represent the full spectrum of experiences in the LGBTQ community, but sources were scarce in regards to people of color within the LGBTQ community, transgender people, and the cross-dressing/drag community. We must do better to document their history.

I am compiling this information because I recognize the need for the LGBTQ community to be able to see and recognize ourselves in the history of our community. I personally feel a great depth of gratitude to the men and women who came before me who stood up and fought for their rights as men and women and as gays, lesbians, bisexual and transgender people. I live with a partner in a rural area have little fear of intimidation or harassment as a lesbian; I work at the Gay Community Center of Richmond, an organization dedicated to seeking an society free from bias, and have little fear of reprisals, intimidation or harassment. I know I owe the degree of freedom that I enjoy to those who have come before me.

Please Join Me on a Trip Through the History of Rainbow Richmond!

Photo Credits: Photos in this exhibit have been included by the permission of the owners, or by those who have authority to provide permissions for the work of others. Credits on each photo are as follows:

David Albright (DA)
Petie Bogen-Garrett (PBG)
GayRichmond.com (GR)
Gregg Johnson (GJ)
Beth Marschak and Alex Lorch (ML)
Eric Russell (ER)
Jay Squires (JS)

Video Credits: Each video box contains credit for the person producing the video. Any video that contains a copyright notice has had permissions cleared for publication in this exhibit.

The information contained in this exhibit was compiled by Cindy Bray, Program Director for the Gay Community Center of Richmondand she can be contacted here. <comments />

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-Rainbow Richmond:  A LGBTQ History of Richmond, VA
+[[Image:flag.jpg|left]]
-Following is a timeline of LGBTQ history of Richmond, VA in from 1969, the Stonewall era, to present.  It is by no means a complete timeline, but many important events from LGBTQ history in Richmond are included, and, hopefully, more will be added.  As I researched for this website, I discovered that Richmond has a rich, varied LGBTQ history prior to the Stonewall era as well as a history of activism in the post Stonewall era up to and including today.  There has been a continual call for equality, sometimes a whisper and sometimes a roar, but we today owe a great deal to the ones in the past who had the courage to stand up.
+= Introduction and Scope =
+[http://www.gayrichmond.com The Gay Community Center of Richmond] is pleased to offer this exhibit detailing the LGBTQ history of Richmond, Virginia. While focused on our lives after 1969, the exhibit also includes pre-Stonewall history.  We are excited to use this platform to continue our efforts to document our community and its people.
-Much of the information contained in this time line came from reading 12 years of OUR OWN, a newsletter/newspaper which began in Norfolk, VA by the Unitarian Universalist Gay Caucus, which covered state news and from the Lesbian and Gay Richmond by Beth Marschak and Alex Lorch.  I owe them greatly for allowing me to use the information liberally.  In addition, I have had the pleasure of speaking with several people who have been vital in the history of the community through the years including Beth Marschak, Barbara “Bobbi” Weinstock and Neil Parsons and I look forward to more in depth conversations with them and many more people as I flesh out the information.
+[[Image:email_sig.jpg|left]]The OutHistory.org ''Since Stonewall'' project provided the impetus to this effort, but Richmond has made significant efforts to preserve its LGBTQ history for years.  The [http://www.library.vcu.edu/jbc/ Cabell Library] at Virginia Commonwealth University holds a substantial collection of material on our community's history.  The [http://www.vahistorical.org/index.htm Virginia Historical Society] - one of the oldest archives in the nation - annually devotes resources to the collection and cataloguing of documents related to LGBT history.
-The terms “lesbians and gay men” are used frequently throughout the time line instead of LGBTQ or sexual and gender minorities in deference to the wording used in the reference materials, especially OUR OWN.  All efforts will be made to represent the full spectrum of experiences in the LGBTQ community in this history.
+Richmond is an old place, at least in American terms.  Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender people have always been a part of its history.  This exhibit is dedicated to all those who challenged the norms of society, who lived free and honest lives, and who moved us forward - maybe just a little, but always forward.
-Initially the only pre-Stonewall information I am including is that in 1956 the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control rules were passed which made it illegal to sell alcoholic beverages to homosexuals or to employ homosexuals in establishments that sell alcohol.  These rules would be on the books until 1993, and would be a frequent rallying point for activists and a concrete example of discriminatory laws on the books in Virginia.
+= Exhibit Sections =
-The information contained in this timeline was compiled by Cindy Bray, Outreach Coordinator for the Gay Community Center of Richmond, www.GayRichmond.com and she can be contacted at Volunteer@GayRichmond.com.
+==[http://www.outhistory.org/wiki/Rainbow_Richmond_Timeline Rainbow Richmond Timeline ]==
+Richmond's LGBTQ timleline since 1969.
+==Before The Rebellion==
-===Timeline===
-===
-===
-	In the spring, several bars whose clientele were mostly gay and lesbian were closed because they violated the ABC laws prohibiting sales of alcohol to known homosexuals, several letters were written to the editors of the Richmond Times-Dispatch protesting these laws.
+===[http://www.outhistory.org/wiki/Early_Virginia_History:_Reconstructing_History Early Virginia History: Reconstructing History]===
-===1970===
-	Fan Free Clinic opens,  initially focused primarily on Women’s Health and the prevention of transmissible diseases, in the late 1980’s became a primary clinic for HIV/AIDS care and currently is a primary facility in regards to transgender health care.
-===1971===
-	The Gay Liberation Front Formed, informal group with no structure or bi-laws, ended in fall that year
-===1974===
-	Gay Alliance of Students forms at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU)  – Asked for space and support from the school and were denied, filed suit against the school in Gay Alliance of Students v. Matthews, et al (the board of directors of VCU).  Initial ruling favored the school, decision was appealed.
-	Gay Awareness in Perspectives – gay and lesbian group formed
-•	GAP RAP – LGBT publication from 1974 – 1978
-•	GAP members attended New York City PRIDE, with GAP banner listing Richmond VA, attendees from other parts of the state joined with GAP in the PRIDE parade.
-===1975===
+The history of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community in Richmond, Virginia pre-Stonewall is often hidden and hard to find, but it wends itself through the historical narrative of the city of Richmond and the state of Virginia. This hidden narrative mirrors the hidden, underground existence of LGBTQ individuals; there was probably no LGBTQ “community” in existence until the 1900s, but “gay” individuals can be found.
-	February 22 – first Richmond Lesbian Feminist meeting, RLF is still active and the oldest LGBT organization continually meeting in Richmond
+===[http://www.outhistory.org/wiki/The_Social_and_Cultural_Elite_and_the_Hidden_%E2%80%9CGay%E2%80%9D_Society The Social and Cultural Elite and the Hidden "Gay" Society]===
-	GAP members attend New York City Pride, wearing GAP T-shirts
-	Dignity/Integrity group forms in Richmond
-	Doe v. Commonwealth’s Attorney of the City of Richmond – Challenged sodomy laws in the state of Virginia which are still technically on the books although not enforced after the US Supreme Court deemed these laws unconstitutional in 1993
+As the 20th Century approached and started, more records can be found about relationships which, seen through today’s constructs, were gay and lesbian. These relationships were still discreet and conducted in private, but some sense of community was developing, with gatherings in private homes and other social/recreational activities.
-===1976===
+==On The Cusp==
-	Federal Circuit Court rules in favor of Gay Alliance Students v. Matthews, et al – this ruling stated that Gay Student Groups be allowed the same access to space and funding as other campus groups.  This ruling at the Circuit Court level stood for 13 Southern states.
-	June - Our Own – LGBT publication began in Norfolk, soon extended coverage and availability to Richmond, started by the Unitarian Universalist Gay Caucus
+===[http://www.outhistory.org/wiki/Developing_Identity:_A_Prelude_to_Activism  Developing Identity: A Prelude to Activism]===
-===1977===
-	June 15 – shooting at the Male Box, bar with primarily gay male clientele, leaving 1 dead and several injured sends shock waves throughout the community, speculation that was an attempt by Koury to regain control of the bar and monopolize control of the gay bars in town
-	Anita Bryant “Save the Children campaign galvanizes action across the country
-o	Richmond activists protest Bryant’s appearance in Norfolk
-o	Richmond Citizens for Gay and Lesbian Rights held first organized Gay Rights Rally in Richmond in Monroe Park on October 7 to protest Bryant’s performance at the University of Richmond
-o	Bruce Garnett and Neal Parson’s confront Bryant at University of Richmond
-	October 27 – Neal Parsons, Bruce Garnett and Tony Segura form the Richmond Gay Rights Association
-	The Sexual Minorities Commission of the Richmond Catholic Diocese formed to advise Bishop Walter Sullivan
+The mid 1900’s was a time of transition towards more visibility and activism in Richmond as well as the rest of the United States which led to the “Stonewall Era.” Like many communities, the LGBTQ community remained underground, hidden and discreet, but gathering places were developing, primarily bars and restaurants.  This nascient identity was important in developing the activism of the next decades.
-===1978===
-	February 25 – Virginia Coalition for Gay and Lesbian Rights forms
-	April 9 – Labrys Books opens
-	Richmond Human Rights Commission approved proposal for nondiscrimination to be added to the Richmond City Code including sexual orientation.
+==Since Stonewall==
-===1979===
+===[http://www.outhistory.org/wiki/The_Beginnings_of_Pride:_Standing_up%2C_Speaking_Out_and_Organizing The Beginnnings of Pride: Standing Up, Speaking Out and Organizing]===
-	City Council considers Richmond Human Rights Commission Proposal, approved proposal after deleting sexual orientation from the list of protected classes; sexual orientation still not included as protected class.
-	June 23 – 1st PRIDE festival in Richmond, commemorates the 10th Anniversary of Stonewall, includes a car parade down a main street from Azalea Gardens to Byrd park, and a picnic at Byrd Park.
-	Richmond Lesbian Feminists (RLF)  sponsors dance following PRIDE event.
-	Members of Virginia Coalition for Gay and Lesbian Rights, RLF and other individuals rally at the First March on Washington for LGBT Equality.
+The initial, public steps of standing up for gay and lesbian rights began with the 1969 editorial by Patch Adams condemning discrimination and continued with the rapid mobilization of the community in Richmond.
-===1980===
+===[http://outhistory.org/wiki/Sense_of_Community_Growing%2C_Turned_Inward_by_the_AIDS_Crisis Sense of Community:  Turned Inward by the AIDS Crisis]===
-	Beth Marschak is hired by the Virginia Coaliton on Lesbian and Gay Rights as the first lobbyist at the General Assembly on behalf of LGBT rights
-	April – the General Assembly considers a bill that would decriminalize heterosexual sodomy and make homosexual sodomy a Class 1 Misdemeanor.  Failed – sodomy remained Class 6 Felonty.
+While many political activities continued, the AIDS Crisis had an incredibly strong, at times debilitating, influence over the actions of the LGBTQ community during the mid 1980s through the mid 1990s. The LGBTQ Community continued to grow, more people found their voices and came out, but the voices were often muted or drowned out by the overwhelming facts of the AIDS Crisis.
-===1981===
+===[http://www.outhistory.org/wiki/The_Fight_Continues_-_Major_Court_Battles_Ensue_in_the_1990%27s The Fight Continues - Major Court Battles Ensue in the 1990s]===
-	Bruce Garnett – sponsored by Richmond Gay Rights Association, becomes the first openly gay man to lobby the General Assembly to lobby for LGBT rights.
-	WomensBooks – Women’s book cooperative opens in winter, after closing of Labrys books, offers books and music by and for women, books not generally available
+There were several major court battles that emerged in the 1990's that would help continue to shape and define the battle for LGBTQ rights in Virginia. The community was emerging from the shock of the AIDS epidemic, and the energy of the community was renewed and refocused in the political arena.
-===1983===
+===[http://www.outhistory.org/wiki/Rainbow_Richmond_in_the_Twenty-First_Century Rainbow Richmond in the Twenty-First Century]===
-	Second Pride Event in Richmond
-	Richmond AIDS Information Network formed in 1983
-	Taxi Zum Klo – VCU had scheduled this German Art Film depicting the gay scene in Berlin to be shown, the Richmond Commonwealth’s Attorney sued to halt showing on grounds that is was obscene.  Judge ruled against City.  Film shown later in fall with two 800 seat shows.  Interesting note:  In Norfolk, the theater it was shown in was sued after the viewing took place and the film was seized.
+Much progress has been made in the years since Stonewall, but even now many challenges remain. Virginia is a conservative state and there are always new battles,and new indignities and new injustices to fight. The Twenty-first century has given LGBTQ Virginians first a law and then a constitutional amendment that prohibits the recognition of our relationships.
-===1985===
+== Photo Galleries ==
-	Richmond Virginia Gay and Lesbian Alliance led by Guy Kinman sponsored billboard project, with several billboards around town “Someone you know is gay, maybe someone you love…”
+Take a tour of Rainbow Richmond in photos from Pride events, protests, community gatherings and much more.
-===1986===
+=== [http://www.outhistory.org/wiki/Pride_in_Pictures_Through_The_Years Pride In Pictures Through The Years] ===
-	The Richmond Pride began publication by The Richmond Virginia Gay Alliance to distribute news and information to Richmond gay community
+=== [http://www.outhistory.org/wiki/Politics_and_Protests Politics and Protests] ===
-===1989===
+= Acknowledgments and Credits=
-	Statewide organization “Virginians for Justice” was formed
+'''''From Cindy Bray, Author/Editor:'''''
-===1991===
+Richmond had a rich, varied LGBTQ history prior to the Stonewall era and a history of activism in the post-Stonewall era.  There has been a continuing call for equality, sometimes a whisper and sometimes a roar.  Today we owe a great deal to the people in the past who had the courage to stand up, be heard and come out.
-	Richmond Organization for Sexual Minority Youth formed
+Much of the information contained in this exhibit came from reading years of newspapers and newsletters including ''Our Own Community Press'' and ''The Richmond Pride'', from the book ''Lesbian and Gay Richmond'' by Beth Marschak and Alex Lorch, and from numerous conversations with people who lived the history of Richmond since Stonewall.  I owe Beth Marschak and Alex Lorch a great deal for allowing me to use the information contained in their book liberally.  In addition to Beth, I have had the pleasure of speaking with several people who have been vital in the history of the community through the years, including Barbara “Bobbi” Weinstock, Stanley Kelsey, Stephanie Myers, Guy Kinman and Neal Parsons, and I look forward to more in-depth conversations with them in the future.
-===1999===
+The terms “lesbians and gay men” are used frequently throughout the exhibit instead of LGBTQ, or sexual and gender minorities, in deference to the wording used in the reference materials and the practice at the time.  Efforts were made to represent the full spectrum of experiences in the LGBTQ community, but sources were scarce in regards to people of color within the LGBTQ community, transgender people, and the cross-dressing/drag community. We must do better to document their history.
-	The Richmond Gay Community Foundation, Inc (RGCF) formed and granted 501C3 nonprofit status
+I am compiling this information because I recognize the need for the LGBTQ community to be able to see and recognize ourselves in the history of our community.  I personally feel a great depth of gratitude to the men and women who came before me who stood up and fought for their rights as men and women and as gays, lesbians, bisexual and transgender people.  I live with a partner in a rural area have little fear of intimidation or harassment as a lesbian; I work at the Gay Community Center of Richmond, an organization dedicated to seeking an society free from bias, and have little fear of reprisals, intimidation or harassment.  I know I owe the degree of freedom that I enjoy to those who have come before me.
-===2000===
+'''''Please Join Me on a Trip Through the History of Rainbow Richmond!'''''
-	RGCF opened Diversity Thrift to raise money to support LGBTQ organizations in Richmond.
+'''Photo Credits:'''  Photos in this exhibit have been included by the permission of the owners, or by those who have authority to provide permissions for the work of others.  Credits on each photo are as follows:
-===2006===
+* David Albright (DA)
-	RGCF moved into it’s own building
+* Petie Bogen-Garrett (PBG)
-	Virginia passed one of the most restrictive constitutional amendments against same sex marriage
+* GayRichmond.com (GR)
+* Gregg Johnson (GJ)
+* Beth Marschak and Alex Lorch (ML)
+* Eric Russell (ER)
+* Jay Squires (JS)
+'''Video Credits:'''  Each video box contains credit for the person producing the video.  Any video that contains a copyright notice has had permissions cleared for publication in this exhibit.
-===2008===
+''The information contained in this exhibit was compiled by Cindy Bray, Program Director for the [http://www.gayrichmond.com Gay Community Center of Richmond]and she can be contacted [mailto:Volunteer@GayRichmond.com here].'' <comments />
-	RGCF DBA the Gay Community Center of Richmond opens meeting space available for community events and the GCCR Art Gallery.

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