Rainbow Richmond: LGBTQ History of Richmond, VA

Rainbow Richmond: A LGBTQ History of Richmond, VA 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. 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. 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. 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.

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.

Timeline

Before Stonewall – 1956 – Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control rules passed which made it illegal to sell alcoholic beverages to a known homosexual, employ a homosexual in establishments that sell alcohol. These rules would be on the books until 1993.

1969  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.

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  February 22 – first Richmond Lesbian Feminist meeting, RLF is still active and the oldest LGBT organization continually meeting in Richmond  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

1976  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

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

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.

1979  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.

1980  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.

1981  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

1983  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.

1985  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…”

1986  The Richmond Pride began publication by The Richmond Virginia Gay Alliance to distribute news and information to Richmond gay community

1989  Statewide organization “Virginians for Justice” was formed

1991  Richmond Organization for Sexual Minority Youth formed

1999  The Richmond Gay Community Foundation, Inc (RGCF) formed and granted 501C3 nonprofit status

2000  RGCF opened Diversity Thrift to raise money to support LGBTQ organizations in Richmond.

2006  RGCF moved into it’s own building  Virginia passed one of the most restrictive constitutional amendments against same sex marriage

2008  RGCF DBA the Gay Community Center of Richmond opens meeting space available for community events and the GCCR Art Gallery.