Aging is not a bad thing!
“I cannot believe I am the age I am!” Have you ever heard yourself saying that? Do you fear aging? Does the prospect scare you or are you accepting it and enjoying life? If so, this month’s “Diversity Richmond Speaks” program on WRIR FM will interest to you. Tune in on the link below and hear Jay White, local gerontologist with an extensive background in topics related to LGBTQ aging.

Our futures are in good hands
Side By Side youth talk about the past, today and tomorrow
Our monthly WRIR FM radio show, “Diversity Richmond Speaks,” featured four Side By Side youth who are being groomed as “ambassadors.” Upon completion of their training, they will serve as speakers in the community, addressing the issues faced by LGBTQ youth today. Listen to how these young people view their worlds. What an inspiration, to say the least!

"Diversity Richmond Speaks" features James Parrish of Equality Virginia
Our monthly WRIR FM radio show that addresses the issues of the Central Virginia LGBTQ community airs the first Monday of every month at 12 noon. This month’s guest was James Parrish, executive director of Equality Virginia.

J. Alan Cumbey
In this episode of Diversity Speaks, Bill Harrison hosts a panel discussion on Outsider Art, art collecting and preservation, in the context of Iridian Gallery’s upcoming show. The show, Beyond the Valley of Wigs in Space, is the first public viewing of outsider art by J. Alan Cumbey, a Virginia artist and writer, on the 25th anniversary of his death.

Featured on the panel are experts in the field, Meg Hughes, Curator of Archives for The Valentine Museum; Ramona Austin, Senior Curator for The Baron and Ellin Gordon Art Galleries; Jay Barrows, Curator and Personal Art Collection Manager for Sydney and Frances Lewis Contemporary Art collection. Lora Beldon, curator of this exhibition, talks about the work, and Lisa Cumbey, Alan’s sister and estate executor lends some personal stories.

Richmond bar scene “back in the day” this month’s topic on Diversity Richmond Speaks
In the 1950’s, 60’s and 70’s local gay and lesbian bars were often the central focus of our community. Long before social media and the many organizations we enjoy today, we gathered at local bars to meet friends, make new ones and be entertained. Rodney Lofton, Jim Rhodes and Victoria Snow (photo above) were guests on our August WRIR show, sharing memories--good and bad--about that time in our history. Click on the link below and hear what they had to say.

“Let’s get physical," plus a history of Richmond LGBT activism featured on WRIR broadcast
For several months, the Peak Physique team has offered free nutritional and exercise classes at Diversity Richmond. This month, Tom Adams and Will Wright brought their messages to the airwaves through our monthly “Diversity Richmond Speaks” program on WRIR FM. Also joining us was longtime activist Barbara Weinstock. “Bobbi” was a co-chair of Richmond’s very first pride festival and has been a leader in our community for years. Her perceptions and reflections are an extraordinary journey and we were so pleased to finally get her on our show.

Equality Virginia and Lisa Griffin highlighted on WRIR’s “Diversity Richmond Speaks”
The on-going work of Equality Virginia and local activist and therapist, Dr. Lisa Griffin was the focus of our May WRIR broadcast. Click on the link below and hear Equality Virginia Executive Director, James Parrish and Dr. Griffin discuss their accomplishments and challenges. “Diversity Richmond Speaks”  airs the first Thursday of every month at 9:00 AM on WRIR FM.

One Love LGBT Families
Our February WRIR FM monthly segment featured folks who helped make the "One Love LGBT Families" exhibit at the Valentine possible. Click on the link below and hear how the project came into being and how it touches the lives of so many. We made history once again.

VCU's LGBT History, 2016 Virginia Pride and Growing Up Black and Gay in Richmond
Forty years ago, several VCU students took the school to court so they could form a gay student union. And they won. This year Virginia Pride is expecting their largest crowd yet. What was it like growing up gay and black in Richmond? Our monthly WRIR segment focuses on these topics through conversations with Dr. Richard Godbeer, VCU Director of the Humanities Research Center; VA PRIDE chair, James Milner and Diversity Richmond program coordinator, Rodney Lofton.

No More Wire Hangers!
This month's Diversity Richmond Speaks WRIR radio segment took a different twist. Rodney Lofton, John Fechino, Bill Harrison and Phil Crosby discuss black and white classic movies and the divas who made Hollywood the great place it was during the Golden Age.

Truthful History Heals
Bill Harrison hosted members of The Iridian Gallery at Diversity Richmond, Lora Beldon, Lisa Cumbey and Justice Dwight Elder, along with Truthful History Heals curator, Beth Marschak, and prominent Richmond artist Paul DiPasquale to talk about what inspired this exhibit.

Richmond Region Tourism
Katherine O’Donnell of Richmond Region Tourism, Michael Simon of Michael Simon Photography and Domenick Casuccio of The Valentine, discuss the award-winning OutRVA campaign that promotes Greater Richmond as a welcoming LGBT vacation destination.

Richmond Business Alliance
The April show featured the Richmond Business Alliance, our local LGBT-friendly chamber of commerce. Participating were local attorney and RBA Board Chair, Bary Hausrath and members, Camille Bird and Eileen Edmonds.

Black History Month Speaks
The latest episode of Diversity Richmond's radio show features board member Ayana Obika chatting with Rev. Lacette Cross about faith, spirituality and sexuality.

A Transformative Journey
Diversity Richmond Speaks features Xander Chapman and his mom, Michelle, who share their journeys. Xander began his transition several years ago and has a powerful story. He is a remarkable young man and what an inspiration!

The second show of Diversity Richmond Speaks on WRIR 97.3 FM, hosted by Bill Harrison, featured guests Michael Gooding and Phil Crosby discussing the history and evolution of Richmond Triangle Players.

The pilot show of Diversity Richmond Speaks on WRIR 97.3 FM was hosted by Bill Harrison and featured guests Robyn Bentley and Shannon Marling.

Topics included issues related to LGBTQ+ older adults, including healthcare, trust, a senses of community, socialization, discrimination, transgender elders, and area resources for help and education, including Diversity Richmond’s own SAGE Central Virginia.

Listen to the show!

Alan Hutson interviews Bill Harrison from Diversity Richmond. They talk about Diversity Richmond recent rebranding, the history of LGBTQ in Richmond, plans for their building and their future; as well as everyone's favorite: Diversity Thrift.