Side by Side records, 1975/2023, bulk 1990/2023

Access and use

Location of collection:
Virginia Commonwealth University, Cabell Library
James Branch Cabell Library
Virginia Commonwealth University
P.O. Box 842003
901 Park Avenue
Richmond, VA 23284-2003
Contact for questions and access:
POC: SCA Staff
Phone: (804) 828-1108
Fax: (804) 828-0151
Restrictions:

Collection is open for research, however, the contents of the "Slideshow Prom 08" disc may only be viewed in the Special Collections Reading Room and will not be made available electronically.

Terms of access:

Contents of the "Slideshow Prom 08" disc, as well as the following folders containing photos of Side by Side events which may depict LGBTQ+ youth: Holiday event photos Miscellaneous group photos, Picnic photos, and Prom photos (Series 3, Box 3, Folders 6-8 and 11) are restricted. Restricted photos may only be viewed in the Special Collections Reading Room and may not be made available electronically, or be photographed or reproduced without permission from Special Collections and Archives. Contact Special Collections and Archives staff for more information libsca@vcu.edu.

Photos from public events in which privacy would not have been a reasonable expectation (e.g. Pride Millenium March photos and Richmond Pride photos) have no restrictions.

Preferred citation:

Side by Side records, 1990-2023, Collection # M 369, Special Collections and Archives, James Branch Cabell Library, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA.

Summary

Extent:
4.09 Linear Feet 2 record cartons, 1 letter document box, and 1 print box and 701 Megabytes 2 CDs
Creator:
Side by Side
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Side by Side records, 1990-2023, Collection # M 369, Special Collections and Archives, James Branch Cabell Library, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection consists of organizational files, which includes agendas, minutes, reports, training materials, policy manuals, financial records, and correspondence; outreach and education materials, which includes newsletters, info sheets, event ephemera, and Rainbow Minute broadcast transcripts and index; photos from events; and news clippings about Side by Side activities and some coverage of LGBTQ+ issues in local and national papers.

The bulk of the collection dates from 1990-2023, although some news clippings date back to as early as 1975. There is a significant amount of information and files on the organization's board of directors' activities, various committee programs, and published newsletters devoted to fulfilling their mission of providing support, education, advocacy and opportunities for LGBTQ+ youth.

Biographical / historical:

Side by Side timeline (from their website):

1991 - ROSMY founded

1996 - First college scholarship for youth offered

1997 - First TV commercials advertising youth groups aired

1998 - Youth Advisory Council (now Youth Engaged in Leadership - YEL) founded

2001 - First Alternative Prom hosted

2007 - Steve Midgett Memorial Library founded

2008 - First Charlottesville support group started

2010 - Institute for Equality (now Side by Side Training) founded, educating youth service providers throughout Virginia

2011 - Hosted the first Run for ROSMY; Trans support group started

2013 - Middle school support group for youth ages 11-13 started

2016 - ROSMY renamed Side by Side

2017 - LGBTQ+ Youth of Color group launched in Richmond

2019 - Launched Host Home program and homelessness services for LGBTQ+ ages 18-25

2020 - Launched Pride Place at Virginia Home for Boys and Girls

The Rainbow Minute is a serialized radio show airing on WRIR-LP, a nonprofit community public radio station licensed to Richmond, Virginia, and serving the metro Richmond area. The Rainbow Minute was created and produced by Judd Proctor and Brian Burns and consists of 60 second (or 1 minute) long show segments. The WRIR website describes the show as "a radio show about gay and lesbian heroes, history and culture." The first episode aired on September 25, 2006.

Acquisition information:
Gift of John Dougherty (Executive Director of Side by Side, formerly ROSMY), June 26, 2006. The second donation was a gift of Marquis Mapp (Executive Director of Side by Side), April 4, 2025.
Processing information:

Three folders (Box 2, Folder 20: Support group data; Box 2, Folder 29: Youth speakers bureau; and Box 2, Folder 30: Youth suggestions) contain photocopies of redacted files. Redacted information includes the names, contact information, and other personally identifiable information about LGBTQ+ youth. The originals were weeded rather than restricted as the redacted information was not seen to hold enduring research value.

Arrangement:

Series 1 - Organizational files

Series 2 - Outreach and education

Series 3 - Photos

Series 4 - News clippings

Physical / technical requirements:

Contents of the "Slideshow Prom 08" and "ROSMY Mural Unveiling" discs are in .jpeg format. Contents of the "ROSMY Mural Unveiling" disc may be made available electronically. Contact Special Collections and Archives staff to request access at libsca@vcu.edu.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard