Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) Richmond Chapter records

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:

The collection is open to research.

Terms of access:

The collection is open for use; however, due to copyright restrictions, the videos on the Richmond Gay-Straight Alliance Resource CD may not be reproduced or disseminated without the copyright holder's permission.

Preferred citation:

Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) Richmond Chapter records, 1988-2002, Collection # M 566, Special Collections and Archives, James Branch Cabell Library, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA.

Summary

Extent:
2.54 Linear Feet 2 letter document boxes and one oversize newspaper box and 6.46 Megabytes 1 CD containing 24 .pdfs and 6 .mov files
Creator:
Archer, Michelle and Parents & Friends of Lesbians and Gays. Richmond Chapter
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) Richmond Chapter records, 1988-2002, Collection # M 566, Special Collections and Archives, James Branch Cabell Library, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA.

Background

Scope and content:

The Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) Richmond Chapter records documents support for and attitudes around LGBTQ+ youth in the 1990s and early 2000s in Richmond, VA, and other parts of the south. The collection also documents how various LGBTQ+ identities were understood or explained to allies and others during this time period. The collection does not contain many administrative records documenting the activities of the PFLAG Richmond Chapter.

The collection contains newsletters, pamphlets and brochures, articles and resources about LGBTQ+ youth, flyers, meeting minutes, forms, event planning materials, correspondence, photos, newspapers and clippings, and a Richmond Gay-Straight Alliance resource CD.

Richmond Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) resource CD includes .pdf and .mov files. Video files are MTV PSAs on homophobic slurs and Matthew Shepard. The .pdf files include documents on GSA activities and icebreakers, tips for finding new members, tips on starting a GSA, the 2001 National School Climate Survey, advice from GSA leaders, gay and lesbain history, handbooks (general and Richmond-specific), resources on anti-bullying initiatives, frequently asked questions, and more.

For a complete listing of included issues of PFLAGpole newspaper, see the scope and content note for that folder.

Biographical / historical:

Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG), founded in 1973, is a United States-based national organization that supports LGBTQ+ people and their families. PFLAG has a network of hundreds of chapters with over 325,000 members and supporters. Their mission is "to support lesbian, gay, bisexual, and [transgender] individuals, along with their families and allies, by 1) providing support to those who need it, 2) educating family and communities regarding sexual orientation, gender identity and LGBT issues, and 3) advocating to end discrimination and advance equality for LGBT people.

The Richmond chapter of PFLAG started in the early 1990s. The chapter holds monthly group meetings to support LGBT community and their families, has a presence at Richmond Pride, Virginia TIES, and Transgender Day of Remembrance.

References: "About Us." PFLAG. Accessed April 18, 2023. https://pflag.org/about-us/ "About Us." PFLAG of Richmond. Accessed April 18, 2023. https://pflagofrichmond.org/about-us

Acquisition information:
Gift of Michelle Archer, a former president of the PFLAG Richmond Chapter.
Arrangement:

Folders are arranged alphabetically with the exception of newspapers, which are in an oversize box at the end of the collection.

Physical / technical requirements:

Contents of the Richmond Gay-Straight Alliance resource CD are available electronically. Contact Special Collections and Archives staff to request access at libjbcsca@vcu.edu. File formats include .pdf and .mov and are viewable using a suitable media viewer/player.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard