LGBTQIA+ Resources

Equality VCU

Equality VCU is a collaborative, advisory, and advocacy body representing the concerns of the LGBTQIA+ community of VCU. The committee envisions a teaching, learning, and working environment where LGBTQIA+ individuals are integrated into the intellectual life and social fabric of the university, have equal access to resources and services and receive equitable treatment as members of the VCU community. The committee also coordinates LGBTQIA+ specific events, such as the Burnside Watstein Awards and Lavender Graduation. 

LGBTQIA & Allied Social Work Group

This group creates a safe space for LGBTQIA and allied social workers to collaborate and engage in advocacy efforts. This organization also promotes awareness of LGBTQIA topics within the VC social work community through curricula building, education, and social events. Email: lgbtqiaavcu@outlook.com.

MCV’s Medicine with Pride

This Medical Campus group’s mission is to advocate for sexual and gender minority students and to educate classmates on LGBTQ+ issues to better serve patients. Email: medprideVCU@gmail.com

oSTEM at VCU

Out in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics is a national LGBTQ arming organization that aims to provide services and support for students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics and to create a dynamic network between students and professionals in industry and academia.

QTPOC Collective

The Queer & Trans People of Color Collective is an identity-based group aiming to create a safer/ welcoming space for our community. Email: qtpoc.vcu@gmail.com.

Queer Action

This student group’s mission centers around activism and advocacy for LGBTQ+ students and populations for the VCU and greater Richmond area. Email: queeractionvcu@gmail.com.

Safe Zone

The Safe Zone program at VCU prepares faculty and sta through a two-hour workshop to be supportive, trustworthy, and sensitive to the needs and concerns of LGBT people. Look for a displayed VCU Safe Zone sticker as an indicator of an ally. Encourage other faculty to a end a Safe Zone workshop and earn a sticker.

University Counseling Services

Counseling Services facilitates Rainbow Group, a weekly LGBTQIA support group. UCS also provides evaluation and consultation for students on the best options for mental health care, as well as short-term individual, group and couples counseling for students for whom this is clinically indicated.

Health Promotion and Well-Being Center

The Well provides public health outreach and services for students regardless of gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation. The Well focuses on providing education to students around healthy sexuality, relationship skills, violence prevention, alcohol and other drugs, tobacco cessation, stress reduction, and mindfulness. The Well also provides confidential advocacy services for student survivors of sexual violence, intimate partner violence, and stalking, with a full-time confidential advocate dedicated to serving the LGBTQIA+ community. 

LGBTQIA+ Discussion Groups and Regular Meetings

• QTPOC
• Queer Action
• Queer Coffee Hour

Lavender House LLC

First-year students planning to live on campus who are interested in a year-long LGBTQIA+ focused living experience are invited to apply to live in Lavender House will in the new Gladding Residence Center. Lavender housing provides an inclusive community for LGBTQIA+ first-year students to live and learn with their peers. Lavender House is a queer-friendly space with monthly programs sponsored by the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs focusing on LGBTQIA+ identities, history, and concerns. Students in this themed housing community can explore and express their whole selves, including their gender identities and sexualities, in a safe and affirming environment. Students who apply and are selected to live in Lavender House will be required to live in the new Gladding Residence Center. For more information, contact vcuhousing@vcu.edu

Lavender Empowerment Month

Annual celebration of queer history and culture throughout October.

LGBTQIA+ Burnside Watstein Award

The Burnside Watstein Award is given annually to recognize individuals who enrich the sense of community at VCU and make a significant difference in the lives of LGBTQ faculty, staff and students. For more information, contact Kelly Chroninger at (804) 828-6868 or kbchroninger@vcu.edu.

Lavender Graduation

VCU hosts Lavender Graduation, a ceremony that celebrates the achievements of graduating gender and sexual orientation minority students and their allies. All students who participate receive a rainbow cord to wear with their academic regalia during Commencement activities and are invited to join the LGBT and Allies Alumni Chapter. For more information, contact the Lavender Graduation Committee at lavgrad@vcu.edu.

Diversity Richmond

This organization provides services and information about the resources available in Richmond for the LGBTQ community.

Drugwatch

The world has changed a lot in the last few years for lesbian, gay, transgender and questioning individuals, for the better in a lot of ways. Yet, significant challenges remain in the quest for equality and its effects on well-being. Sexual and gender minorities face legal discrimination in many areas, and the battle for equality is far from over. https://www.drugwatch.com/health/LGBTQ+/

Equality Virginia

Equality Virginia is a statewide, nonpartisan lobbying, education and support network for the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and straight allied communities in Virginia.

Health Brigade

Health Brigade provides an array of services to all members of the Richmond community. Services include HIV testing, STD testing and treatment, birth control, reproductive health, physical exams, and many others. Prescriptions for hormones and Trans health primary care are also available. Call to make an appointment. Phone: (804) 358-6343

Richmond Genderqueer and Transgender Support Group (RGT)

This weekly support group is for people ages 18 to 35 who identify outside of the gender binary. Whether you’re bigender, agender, genderfluid, or just know that you’re not 100% cis - this is the group for you! This group meets at 7 p.m. on Wednesdays at Health Brigade. Phone: (804) 358-6343 

Richmond Transformers

This bi-weekly support group for female-to-male (FTM) transgender individuals that meets at Health Brigade - 1010 N. Thompson Street, Richmond, VA 23230 Phone: (804) 358-6343 x 135 

Side by Side

Side by Side is available to youths, 14 to 20, who identify on the LGBTQ+ spectrum or are questioning their sexual orientation. Services include support groups, drop-in hours, mentoring, and special events. Phone Support: (804) 644-4390 Administration: (804) 644-4800

Southerners on New Ground (SONG)

SONG is a regional Queer Liberation organization made up of people of color, immigrants, undocumented people, people with disabilities, working-class and rural and small town, LGBTQ people in the South.

Virginia Anti-Violence Project (VAVP)

VAVP works to address and end violence, with a specific focus on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer communities across Virginia. VAVP provides information, advocacy, referrals, and support to LGBTQ-identified individuals that have been impacted by violence. VAVP also promotes healthy relationships and sexuality through educational programming, such as Relationship Skills Classes.

Virginia League for Planned Parenthood

Planned Parenthood provides high-quality sexual and reproductive health care services. These services will be readily available in safe settings that preserve and protect the privacy and rights of each individual regardless of income, age, marital status, race, ethnicity or sexual orientation. Phone: (804) 482-6161