Richmond’s LGBT Community Rallies Around Targets of Westboro Baptist Church
Representatives of numerous LGBT and faith organizations met Friday at the Gay Community Center of Richmond to plan constructive and effective ways to respond to next week’s planned protests in Richmond by members of Fred Phelps’ Westboro Baptist Church. The church has announced its intention to picket at the Virginia Holocaust Museum, the Jewish Community Center of Richmond, the Jerusalem Connection and Hermitage High School on Tuesday, March 2nd via their website: GodHatesFags.com. Area LGBT groups are determined that Westboro will be met with peaceful but clear resistance.

“Richmond’s LGBT community stands in solidarity with the Jewish community and the students targeted by these protesters,” said Jay Squires, President of the Gay Community Center of Richmond. “Westboro Baptist Church made its name protesting the funerals of gay people including Matthew Sheppard. It’s crucial that LGBT people vocally oppose their hatred and ignorance no matter which groups they target.”
The LBGT and faith groups decided to endorse a rally at VCU organized by VCU Hillel, Queer Action and Men Against Violence in response to the upcoming protests. “The VCU community stands for, and promotes diversity and we thrive on how well we work together’” say the organizers. “This is an opportunity to make a stand against hate and discrimination as one.” The rally will be held at the VCU Commons at 1:30 pm on Tuesday, March 2nd. This rally was endorsed by the LGBT and faith groups as the most effective way to promote a message of tolerance and inclusion without engaging the Westboro Baptist Church members directly. The rally is being promoted with its own Facebook page: (http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=325327553042&ref=mf) (Facebook membership required.) Information will also be updated on GayRichmond.com.

These groups are also lending their support to the Virginia Holocaust Museum in its efforts to counter Westboro’s plans to protest at this solemn memorial to the millions murdered by intolerant bigots. The Virginia Interfaith Center has organized an online “Phelps-a-Thon,” to benefit the museum in which they’re asking supporters to make a donation for every minute the protesters picket outside the museum. The museum plans to send Fred Phelps and the Westboro Baptist Church a thank-you note for the amount of money they raise during the protest. (https://secure3.convio.net/faith/site/Donation2?df_id=1500&1500.donation=landing)

The Virginia Holocaust Museum is using its Facebook page to inform supporters about its planned response to the protest. (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Richmond-VA/Virginia-Holocaust-Museum/25263221630?ref=mf&v=wall#!)
“We plan to respect the wishes of the Jewish Community Center, Hermitage High School and the Jerusalem Connection who asked that no counter-protests be staged,” says Squires. “We’re focusing our efforts on creating a positive message of inclusion, respect, and support for any and all groups who are targets of ignorance and religious intolerance.”

The organizations endorsing these peaceful efforts include the Gay Community Center of Richmond, People of Faith for Equality in Virginia, First Unitarian Universalist Church, Unitarian Universalist Church of Glen Allen, Metropolitan Community Church -Richmond, Richmond Lesbian Feminists, Mothers & Others, Fan Free Clinic, PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays), GLSEN (the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network), the Rainbow Minute, Queer Action VCU, VCU’s Men Against Violence, the LGBT Caucus of the Virginia Democratic Party, Virginia Pride, Equality Virginia, the $3 Bills, and Richmond Triangle Players.

For more information, please contact Jay Squires at the Gay Community Center of Richmond. He can be reached at 804-622-4646, ext. 20 or at jsquires@GayRichmond.com.
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The 2010 Date Auction is coming up fast!  We have started our search for awesome folks that are able to lend us a date.  The buyer receives a gift certificate and a date with you.

Anyone interested in being auctioned off or if you have a buisness willing to donate, email us today!

As always, all bids and donations are tax deductible.

September 25th 2010!

Times and location are still to being finalized.

Sponsors, venders and entertainment groups should mark their calendars NOW!

For more information, email the VA Pride Board and follow updates on GayPrideVirginia.com

Thank you to all our contestants and we look forward to Ashley’s reign!

A special Thank You to all that came out tonight to support them and the GPV Scholarship Fund.

Mr. Gay Pride Virginia : Lance Johnson

Photo credit - Eric Russell

Miss Capital City Gay Pride : Deija Diamond

Photo credit - Eric Russell

Richmond King of Kings : Xavier Drake

Ms. Gay Pride Virginia :Ashley Mitchell

Ashley Mitchell is Richmond’s 2nd Ms. Gay Pride Virginia winner.  She grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and attended Mary Baldwin College in Staunton, VA to pursue her degree in Social Work.  She then moved to Richmond in 2008 and became rapidly active in the LGBTQ community interning at ROSMY (a non-profit for GLBTQ youth ages 14-20), and soon after became a full time staff member.  Ashley is the Youth Programs Coordinator and Volunteer Manager and works diligently to make sure all youth who are dealing with their sexual orientation or gender identity are aware that they are successful members of the community.  She is trained in various sub-categories of the LGBTQ community and encourages everyone to make a change here in Richmond.  Ashley is proud to be a part of the change Gay Pride Virginia has instilled across the state.  Her hobbies include, but are not limited to: her family, her dog, her friends, the dog park, the beach, train rides, J-CREW, her blackberry, sushi and pad thai, educating, mentoring, and advocating for all GLBTQ folks, her lady, a good movie, and a warm bed. ]]> http://www.gaypridevirginia.com/2010/01/09/the-current-royal-court/feed/ http://www.gaypridevirginia.com/2010/01/06/the-ms-gay-pride-virginia-crown-is-up-for-grabs/ http://www.gaypridevirginia.com/2010/01/06/the-ms-gay-pride-virginia-crown-is-up-for-grabs/#comments Wed, 06 Jan 2010 18:46:55 +0000 Chris http://www.gaypridevirginia.com/?p=593 The current Ms. Gay Pride Va, Audrey Allen, hosts the 2010 Ms. Gay Pride Virginia contest.

Everyone should come out to support this years contestants and the GPV Scholarship Fund.

Thursday, January 21st, 8pm @ Babe’s of Carytown!

Contestants are still able to sign up to win part of the $400 cash prizes by contacting audge_allen@yahoo.com

There is no contestant entry fee and the categories include: gym wear, club wear, talent and formal wear (w/ Q&A).

Cover at the door is $5.

Thank you!