How have fellow LGBTQ+ alumni affected your life/career/journey?
My first year as a resident assistant in Rhoads Hall, I had an unusual number of gay young men on my floor. Those gentlemen hold a special place in my heart, as their very presence, their unapologetic existence, gave me the courage and strength to come out by the end of that academic year. Later, my husband introduced me to several LGBTQ+ alumni who were decades older than us, and through their stories, I became much more knowledgeable about the gay culture at VCU and in Richmond.
What does it look like for VCU to commit to supporting its LGBTQ+ community?
To me, VCU’s commitment looks like taking a stance against unacceptable policies coming from anywhere else. VCU’s legacy includes queer-identifying individuals, and that must be honored if VCU is to maintain its integrity as an LGBTQ+-welcoming institution of higher learning. VCU’s commitment should include the development of a brick-and-mortar LGBTQ+ support facility, a healthy budget to support LGBTQ+ members in need and counseling sensitive to the various lifestyles of LGBTQ+ community members. There is always room for improvement, VCU.