Physical Archives

All information is current as of March 24, 2017

Finding Aid

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

Collection Highlights

  • The Big Lick Gayzette – Volume 1, Issues 1-7 (1971), Southwest Virginia’s oldest LGBTQ 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) *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 [missing no. 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*
  • 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 – we have the full run from c. 1983 to 2008! Southwest Virginia’s longest-running LGBT publication.
  • Blue Ridge Banner / Blue Ridge Messenger, newspaper of Metropolitan Community Church of the Blue Ridge, several volumes, c. 1990-1998
  • 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 (2000-2006)
  • 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 (2015-2016)

Founding Donors

  • Michael Blankenship
  • Mary Boenke
  • 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
  • Rosemary Wyman

Thank you!!!

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