www.gayrichmond.com   |   1407 Sherwood Ave, Richmond, VA 23220   |    (804) 622-4646

 LGBT News and Upcoming Events                         March 27, 2013
A Message from the Executive Director

HOPE FROM THE MOUTHS OF BABES

 

A friend of mine who moved away from Richmond thirty years ago recently spent a few days back in his hometown. He was amazed at how the LGBT community has grown and the influence we have. He remembers a closeted community whose main identity was centered around bar life. How things have changed.

 

Pioneer activist Harvey Milk in a 1967 pride parade. "You got to give 'em hope," he said. Those hopes are finally being turned into realities. Thanks, Harvey. We owe you much.

For example, a new partnership of which we are

quite proud is that with Jewish Family Services. Last December we funded JFS $2,500 to promote their efforts in helping LGBT people adopt children. Since the late 1990's JFS has aided many of us in fulfilling our dreams of having kids. We are proud to support their efforts which have been somewhat of a secret. But secret, no more as word is out.

 

Noted journalist Michael Paul Williams of the Richmond Times Dispatch recently spent a couple of hours with us in preparation for an April story that will share our partnership as well as the joyful occasion that a Virginia couple had with JFS's assistance.   

 

The countless numbers of LGBT activists on whose shoulders we stand could probably never imagine what progress would eventually be made. Every day we realize more accomplishments. We can achieve anything we want. We have already proven that.

 

Best,


Bill Harrison  
President and Executive Director  
804 622 4646 ext. 20  

GCCR Updates
WOMEN'S COMING OUT SUPPORT GROUP

Next meeting: Monday, April 7, 2014 at 7pm

 

Please come join this great group of women for an open discussion of the coming out  process.  Whether you are newly out, still coming out, have been out for a while or are questioning.

All are welcomed!  Meetings are from 7pm to 8:30 pm on the first Monday of the month at the Gay Community Center of Richmond (GCCR),1407 Sherwood Ave. Richmond VA.  In the event of questionable weather, please contact Martha Ann Spruill (contact information listed below).

Sponsored by Metropolitan Community Church of Richmond (MCC),  www.mccrichmond.org and The Gay Community Center of Richmond (GCCR), www.gayrichmond.com

 

Contacts:  Loretta Mountcastle, [email protected], 804-291-8676

                   Martha Ann Spruill, [email protected], 804-405-0939
SAGE NEWS - UPCOMING APRIL EVENTS
6Sun1-2 pmBook Group "Rainy Days" by R.E. BradshawTa Za Coffee 'n Cremes
9Wed10 amWednesday Morning CoffeeStir Crazy
12Sat10-12 pmArt JournalingGCCR Classroom
15Tue6 pmSAGE Steering CommitteeGCCR Lounge
20Sun2-4 pmCommunity Conversation--- Pet First AidGCCR Classroom
23Wed10 amWednesday Morning CoffeePanera Carytown
27Sun1 pmSAGE 50+ Single Women's Group Garden Walk
Lewis Ginter
1800 Lakeside Ave

Community News and Upcoming Events

JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES TO HOST LGBT ADOPTION WORKSHOP

On Thursday, April 3, JFS will host a workshop for members of the LGBT community considering adoption. This seminar is funded by a grant from the Richmond Gay Community Foundation, and features Colleen M. Quinn, Esq. of The Adoption & Surrogacy Law Center at Locke and Quinn, and JFS Adoption staff.

 

It is not easy for members of the LGBT community to adopt a child in Virginia. Although the Commonwealth currently allows married couples and single individuals to adopt, in 2012, former Governor McDonnell signed the "conscience clause" into law. This clause allows faith-based agencies to choose not to work with prospective adoptive parents based on their sexual orientation, age, gender, political beliefs, religion, disability, or family status (single parent, person in unmarried couple, divorced person). As a result, many adoption agencies in Richmond do not work with LGBT individuals and couples.

 

"By contrast," said JFS' Adoption Coordinator Teresa Birchett, "JFS firmly believes great parents come from all walks of life, and all children deserve a permanent, loving home." JFS offers adoption services to all prospective parents, and to date has facilitated dozens of adoptions to LGBT parents.  

 

The workshop will cover LGBT adoption opportunities, homestudies, various ways to adopt, legal questions, and post-placement services. For information about any JFS adoption services, please call Teresa Birchett at 804-282-5644, ext. 223 or email her at [email protected].

 

Date: Thursday, April 3, 2014

Time: 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Place: JFS, 6718 Patterson Avenue, Richmond, VA 23226

Reserve today: 804.282.5644, ext. 222

RICHMOND WOMEN'S CHORUS TO PERFORM IN APRIL

Click here to learn more Richmond Women's Chorus and Virginia Commonwealth University Women's Choir will present a joint Community Concert in the sanctuary of St. Mark's Episcopal Church at 520 N. Boulevard, Richmond, VA on Saturday, April 12 at 7:30pm. This event is free and open to the public.  Donations will be gratefully accepted. 

 

RWC performs under the umbrella of Monument City Music, which also supports the Richmond Men's Chorus.  Now in their 5th season, and under the direction of Dr. Darryl Waller, the Richmond Women's Chorus continues to impact our communities through performances around the region including the Equality Virginia Dinner, Virginia Pride,

the Children's Hospital of Richmond, the Glen Allen Cultural Center, various VCU music venues, and Imperial Plaza.

 

RWC rehearses on Tuesday nights from 7-9 pm at Imperial Plaza in Richmond's Northside. All women 18 years or older are welcome and encouraged to join us!  Please refer to the Monument City Music website for more information:http://monumentcitymusic.org/womens-chorus/join-rwc/

SAVE THE DATE! ROSMY to host "Springtime: A Magical Evening" 

Saturday, May 3 at the Tuckahoe Women's Club, join ROSMY for a magical time - celebrating those who support LGBTQ youth in our community. 

 

Evening will include a cocktail reception, extensive silent auction to benefit ROSMY, and presentation of the 2014 Catalyst Awards to Ms. Marge Connelly and the University of Richmond. 

   

Tickets available here. For questions, or more information, please call the ROSMY

office at (804) 644-4800 or email [email protected]

 

LOCAL REAL ESTATE MARKET CAN OFFER CHALLENGES FOR BUYERS AND SELLERS
A board member of the Richmond Business Alliance, our LGBT friendly chamber of commerce, Wanda Fears  is also an agent with Long and Foster Real Estate. Contact Wanda at 804-909-2777 or [email protected].

If you are a RBA member and would like to share your expertise, contact [email protected]

 

 

 

As the 2014's spring market approaches I want to take some time to talk about what you need to know as a seller or buyer.

 

Now I don't have a crystal ball, but based on expert opinions, research, and trends I've observed at the close of 2013, I have formed the following thoughts on what we can expect now through the end of the year.

 

Interest Rates

  • As the economy improves and Federal Reserve policies change, 30-year mortgage interest rates will be rising throughout 2014, likely hitting 5 percent for the first time since early 2010.
  • Because affordability is still high in most areas relative to historical norms, rising rates won't derail the housing recovery. On the contrary, Inventory is low, and many are selling homes in less than 30 days.

Loan Availability

  • The silver lining to rising interest rates is that getting a loan will be easier. Rising rates means lenders' refinance business will dwindle, forcing them to compete for buyers by potentially loosening their lending standards.
READ MORE HERE >>
This newsletter is a publication of the Gay Community Center of Richmond, Virginia's first community center serving the needs of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

For more information, visit www.gayrichmond.com or e-mail [email protected].