Rainbow Richmond: LGBTQ History of Richmond, VA
Following is a timeline of LGBTQ history of Richmond, VA primarily focused on the time period from 1969, the Stonewall era, to present, but also including some PreStoneWall History. 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 in the future. 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 years of several newspapers and newsletters including Our Own Community Press and The Richmond Pride and from the book Lesbian and Gay Richmond by Beth Marschak and Alex Lorch as well as numerous informal conversations with people who lived the history of Richmond since Stonewall, especially Beth Marschak. I owe Beth Marschak and Alex Lorch greatly 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 and Neil Parsons and I look forward to more in depth conversations with them in the future for my own edification.
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 and the community understanding at the times that much of the source material was written. Efforts were made to represent the full spectrum of experiences in the LGBTQ community in this history, but the sources were scarce in regards to the People of Color within the LGBTQ community as well as in regards to both the transgender community and the cross-dressing/drag community.
I am compiling this information because I recognize the need for the LGBTQ community to be able to see and recognize themselves in the history of their community at large. I personally feel a great depth of gratitude to the men and women who came before me and stood up and fought for their rights as women and as gays and lesbians. 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.
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===
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
- Richmond activists protest Bryant’s appearance in Norfolk
- 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
- 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.
