Physical Archives

All information is current as of January 22, 2020.

Finding Aid

Click here to view the Finding Aid for the LGBTQ History Collection

Collection Highlights (in chronological order)

  • Statement of Policy and Constitution and By-Laws, Gay Alliance of Roanoke (GARV) (c. 1971) *available online*
  • The Big Lick Gayzette – Volume 1, Issues 1-7 (1971), Southwest Virginia’s oldest gay publication, published by the Gay Alliance of the Roanoke Valley (GARV) *available online*
  • The Virginia Gayzette – Volume 1, Issue 1 (1971), published by GARV *available online*
  • The Virginia Gayzette – Volume 2, Issues 1-7 (1972), published by GARV *available online*
  • Charter for an unidentified gay organization, presumably the Free Alliance for Individual Rights (FAIR) (c. 1977) *available online*
  • The Virginia Gayzette – Volume 3, Issues 2-4 (1978), published by FAIR *available online*
  • PALS Newsletter – Volume 1, Issues 7-10 (1980), published by Positive Alternative Life Styles *available online*
  • PALS Newsletter – Volume 2,  Issues 1-10 [missing no. 2] (Jan-May 1981) *available online*
  • PALS Newsletter – Volume 3, Issues 1-14 (June-Dec 1981) *available online*
  • PALS Newsletter – Volume 4, Issues 1-14 (1982) *available online*
  • PALS Newsletter – Volume 5, Issues 1-2 (1983) *available online*
  • Blue Ridge Lambda Alliance Newsletter – Issues 1-5 (1981-1982), predecessor of the Blue Ridge Lambda Press *available online*
  • Skip Two Periods – Volumes 1-5 [missing vol. 1, nos. 2-3] (1983-1988), lesbian newspaper published by First Friday *available online*
  • Blue Ridge Lambda Press – Volume 1, Issues 1-10 (1983-1984), published by the Blue Ridge Lambda Alliance (BRLA) *available online*
  • Blue Ridge Lambda Press – Volume 2, Issues 3-8 [nos. 1-2 do not exist] (1984), published by BRLA *available online*
  • Blue Ridge Lambda Press – Volume 3, Issues 1-7 (1985), published by BRLA *available online*
  • Blue Ridge Lambda Press – Volume 4, Issues 1-6 (1986), published by the Roanoke Valley Gay Alliance (RVGA) *available online*
  • Blue Ridge Lambda Press – Volume 5, Issues 1-6 (1987), published by RVGA *available online*
  • Blue Ridge Lambda Press – Volume 6, Issues 1-5 (1988), published by RVGA *available online*
  • Blue Ridge Lambda Press – Volume 7, Issues 1-6 (1989), published by RVGA *available online*
  • Blue Ridge Lambda Press – Volume 8, Issues 1-5 (1990), published by RVGA *available online*
  • Blue Ridge Lambda Press – Volume 9, Issues 1-6 (1991), published by RVGA *available online*
  • Blue Ridge Lambda Press – Volume 10, Issues 1-6 (1992), published by RVGA, renamed mid-year the Roanoke Valley Gay & Lesbian Alliance (RVGLA) *available online*
  • Blue Ridge Lambda Press – complete (1993-2008). We have yet to digitize the remainder of this newsletter.
  • Blue Ridge Banner / Blue Ridge Messenger, newspaper of Metropolitan Community Church of the Blue Ridge, several volumes, c. 1990-1998
  • New River Free Press, radical newspaper published in the New River Valley, various issues c. 1990 – 2007
  • organizational records of the Blue Ridge Lambda Alliance (1980s)
  • organizational records of the Virginia Gay Alliance, Roanoke Chapter (1980s)
  • organizational records of the Roanoke Valley Gay & Lesbian Alliance (1990s)
  • organizational records of the Alliance of Gay & Lesbian Organizations (ALGO), including early Pride in the Park festivals (1990s)
  • organizational records of the Roanoke Valley chapter of PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) (1990s)
  • Membership cards for The Park dance club (1994; 2000-2001)
  • Ricketson GLBT Memorial Library records (c. 2000 – 2013)
  • Roanoke Gayzette – five issues from 2009-2011
  • Memorabilia, Tenth Anniversary of the Backstreet Café shooting (c. 2010)
  • Roanoke Diversity Center event flyers & posters (2011-2015)
  • Various items from the transgender community, including Ladies and Gents of the Blue Ridge – Transgender Alliance (2010s)
  • Southwest Virginia LGBTQ+ History Project papers (2015-2017)

Founding Donors

  • Sherman Bamford
  • Michael Blankenship
  • Mary Boenke
  • Riley Chattin
  • Rev. Catherine Houchins
  • Edward F. “Gerry” Jennings, Jr.
  • Dan Jones
  • Erika Joyner
  • Virginia Irene Lindsey
  • Deanna Marcin
  • The Park
  • Roanoke Diversity Center
  • Olivia Streett
  • Trish Valentine
  • Richard Ward III
  • Carolyn Sue Wilson
  • Rosemary Wyman

Thank you!!!

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