Pridefest rescheduled for Oct 22

Exciting news from VA Pride! 🌈🎉 Pridefest 2023, brought to you by OutRVA, is back on the calendar! 😝
We've rescheduled the event for Sunday, October 22, and we're shaking things up with a fresh location - the Bon Secours Training Center! Get ready for an amazing day filled with top-notch entertainment, fantastic vendors, mouthwatering food, and don't forget to check out the Allianz Youth Pride Pavilion! Stay tuned for more juicy details! 💃🏳️‍🌈 #VApride #Pridefest2023 #SaveTheDate
 
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Diversity Richmond Community Survey

Hearing feedback from the community is very important to us. This survey is an opportunity for you to weigh in on your experience with Diversity Richmond and provide insight into our programs, what is working well, and opportunities for the future. Thank you for taking a few minutes to give us your input. Complete the survey here.

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VA Pridefest postponed

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Virginia Pride has made the difficult decision to postpone Pridefest 2023, scheduled for this Saturday, September 23rd on Brown's Island. Our decision comes after thoughtful consideration and consultation with meteorologists, event planning experts, and our valued stakeholders.

Weather forecasts currently available to us predict consistent, and at times heavy, rainfall, coupled with the potential for dangerous wind gusts of up to 40 mph. Such conditions would be both uncomfortable and dangerous for our attendees, vendors, entertainers, and dedicated volunteers.
 
We are actively exploring alternatives to reschedule Pridefest this year. We remain committed to bringing Greater Richmond together to celebrate our LGBTQ+ community with the enthusiasm it deserves. We are working with local venues to host some of our Pridefest entertainers on Saturday. Be sure to watch our social media and our website for up-to-date information on where you can enjoy these performances.
 
Despite this postponement, other Pride Weekend events are still happening:
 
Pride After Dark pre-Pride Party: Join us at Ember Music Hall on Friday night for an unforgettable pre-Pride party. Tickets are available for $15 in advance, $20 on the day of the event, and $25 at the door. Secure your spot here, and the doors will open at 8 pm.
 
The Pridefest Weekend closing concert with Tegan and Sara:  We are turning rain into rainbows and moving the Tegan and Sara concert to the National!   Doors will open at 6pm, and all tickets have already been transferred. Ticket holders: Please check your email for more information.  Tickets are also still available at https://bit.ly/TeganSara_National9-24
 
We are just as disappointed as you may be about this decision. In moments like this we show that we are stronger together. We are committed to finding ways for Greater Richmond to celebrate its LGBTQ+ community in the weeks ahead.  Please stay tuned to our social media and website for more information.
 
In community, 
Virginia Pride

Meet our new Program Manager

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India Shaw, Program Manager

India Shaw is a dedicated nonprofit professional with over 5 years of experience in the sector. She holds a degree in Public Health and has a passion for caring for others, which has led her to work in various organizations. Originally from Kansas City, Missouri, India moved to Richmond, Virginia in 2020 and has since been an active member of the community.

India is excited to begin her new role as the Program Manager of Diversity Richmond, where she will be able to use her skills and experience to advance the organization's mission. With her background in public health and her commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion, India is well-suited for this position and eager to make a positive impact on the community.

 

Diversity Thrift Has An Opening For A Donation Processor

Diversity Thrift is seeking a part-time donation processor that has the ability to consistently lift up to 50 lbs. throughout the day as well as standing and bending for long periods of time. This position will be one of the faces of Diversity Thrift and requires providing excellent customer service as well as being a friendly face to our customers. Wages start at $15 per hour. You will be the face of Diversity’s warehouse – politely bringing in donations, loading and unloading furniture, processing inventory, and keeping the store looking amazing. Duties and requirements:

- Politely assisting customers with furniture

- Lifting, moving, and loading

- Pricing and sorting donations

- Organizing and cleaning the store to keep it safe and looking great

- Ability to lift 50+ lbs

- Extended periods of standing and walking

- Punctual and reliable

- Like to stay busy throughout the day

Experience pricing antiques, collectibles, and rare items, and a willingness to learn, a huge plus! Ideal candidates are experienced working in a fast-paced retail environment, are good at staying one step ahead of the game, and enjoy working with a diverse team in an inclusive environment.

Interested candidates should email your resume to . No phone calls.

COVID-19 considerations: All staff must be vaccinated.

Diversity Richmond is an equal opportunity employer.

Give OUT Day is June 28th

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Give Out Day 2023
 
Diversity Richmond is participating in Give OUT Day!! The month-long fundraising campaign culminates on June 28, the only national day of giving for the LGBTQ community. 
 
This year Diversity Richmond is raising $5,000 to amplify our voices through upgrading our audio and visual equipment in the Event Hall.  
 
Please consider making a gift of any size that will help us reach our goal.  
 
Our 11,000 square foot event hall is offered for free or discounted rates to LGBTQ+ and allied organizations. We estimate that more than 10,000 people annually come to our facility for events hosted by us or our partners. We are proud to be known as a safe place for ALL members in the greater Richmond community.   
 
If you have ever been to an event in our space you are aware that we could use some new microphones and audio-visual equipment. Every dollar raised this year will be dedicated to purchasing the necessary items we need to improve the event going experience in our space.  
 
Will you help us literally amplify LGBTQ+ and allied voices? Your gift during Give Out Day will make a direct impact on how we serve and support every person, group and organization that uses our Event Hall.  
 
Give OUT Day is June 28, but our campaign starts today. Why? Because every donation made on our Give OUT Day page, from today through midnight on June 28, counts toward Leaderboard prizes. This means that your donation could help us win thousands in additional prize money! 
 
Put simply, your gift can go so much further.
 
Give OUT Day offers so much hope, but only if we have your support. Will you show your pride by making a gift?
 
P.S. Want to take your support to the next level? It’s not too late to create a fundraiser page! Just visit Give OUT Day and click “fundraise” to get started! It only takes a couple minutes and has a huge impact.

Diversity Thrift Has An Opening For A Cashier

Part-Time Cashier/$15 Per Hour

Come work for Richmond's best thrift store, Diversity Thrift! We are a local Richmond retail store looking for candidates to fill a part-time cashier position in our store's front end. Requirements: 2+ years cash handling experience. Lift 20-30 pounds. Excellent customer service skills in person and on the phone. Must be able to stand and walk for 8+ hours a day. Thrive in a fast-paced environment. Must be willing and eager to work collaboratively with a diverse team of staff and volunteers and work in an inclusive setting for people of all walks of life, all genders, orientations, and gender expressions. Some ASL ability a huge plus! More details will be discussed at interview. Please email your resume to  to apply, or drop off a resume at Diversity Thrift, 1407 Sherwood Avenue, Richmond, VA 23220.

COVID-19 considerations: All staff must be vaccinated. EOE. Diversity Richmond is an equal opportunity employer.

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Endless Summer of Pride!

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On Thursday, June 1, VA Pride will launch the Endless Summer of Pride campaign in celebration of national LGBTQ Pride Month.  From June through September, culminating in VA Pridefest Weekend September 22-24, VA Pride and its partners will host dozens of events and activities to celebrate Richmond’s LGBTQ and allied communities. 
Please join us Thursday, June 1 at City Hall when we stand with Mayor Stoney, Superintendent Kamras and other city leaders to declare June “Pride Month in Richmond!” and raise the Progress Pride Flag over Richmond! The ceremony begins at 1:15 and is open to the public.  
Visit VA Pride for a full listing of Endless Summer of Pride events and how you can participate!
 
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Plant Pioneers

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Diversity Thrift Assistant Manager Michael Weeks and Donation Processor Josie Bryant recently put their green thumbs to work in our new garden. We're planting tomatoes, daisies, peppers, lupins, sunflowers, watermelon, zucchini, sweet peas, squash, morning glory, and various herbs. We'll be adding more beds over the summer. Be sure to check out our progress when you come to shop and follow our garden on facebook.

Diversity Thrift partners with Sierra Club

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Falls of the James Sierra Club contacted Diversity Thrift to coordinate a donation pickup of gently used furniture University of Richmond students left behind after move out. This furniture, too big for the school's annual Big Yard Sale, would have gone into dumpsters. Pictured below are a few of the items we rescued. There's more in the store!

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Iridian Gallery call for exhibit proposals

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The Iridian Gallery at Diversity Richmond is now accepting proposals for work in all media for our 2024 exhibition calendar. As the only LGBTQ gallery in the south and one of the few in the nation we strive to serve the queer community and amplify the voices of its artists. While preference will be given to LGBTQ+ artists, work by allies that speak to the experiences of our community will also be considered. Iridian is especially dedicated to presenting work by artists who intersectionally identify with other underrepresented groups. We encourage artists of diverse races, nationalities, ethnicities, beliefs, genders, ages, and abilities to apply.

You may apply for a solo show, with a group of artists, or propose an exhibition that you would like to curate. We may also choose to group selected artists when deemed appropriate. Evaluation of proposals and curatorial decisions will be made by representatives of the Iridian Gallery committee made up of local artists, arts educators and leaders, and community members.

Our proposal deadline for Calendar Year 2024 is August 11, 2023, and applicants should be notified by the end of September. Please share or tag your artist friends. Any proposals received after the August 11 date will be saved for the next year. 

Please send all proposals and questions by email to:   

Submission Guidelines:

The Iridian Gallery at Diversity Richmond is committed to fostering lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer+ artists and their community by exhibiting their art as well as work that relates to their experience.

Format Requirements:

All proposals will be submitted by email only and must be in the formats described below.

  1. 1. Include up to 10 images of your best work. The submission should ideally include images of work you would include in your exhibition. If this is not possible, the images should represent works that are comparable to those that will be featured in the exhibition.

These images should be JPGS no larger than 1024 x 768, 72dpi, preferably under 1MB.

They MUST be named in this format:

01YourFirstName_LastName.jpg

02YourFirstName_LastName.jpg

03YourFirstName_LastName.jpg

  1. 2. If applicable, send videos of specific works which will be included in the exhibition. Videos should be shared via web link, Dropbox or other ftp service. Please do not email videos.
  1. 3. Prepare a one-page statement describing the concept of the exhibition. The file should be a PDF, RTF, or Word document.
  1. 4. Supply an image list providing an inventory of the images submitted. Include number, artist name, title, year, medium, and dimensions. This must be a PDF, RTF, or Word document.
  1. 5. Your resume and the resumes of any prospective collaborators.

Proposals that are incomplete or fail to meet the above requirements may not be reviewed by the jury.

After the August 11, 2023 deadline, Iridian Gallery continues to have an open submission policy for art exhibitions. We accept proposals via email at all times.

Queer Prom clothing drive May 12th through 31st

Prom Clothing Drive
Help Side by Side’s LGBTQ+ youth get glammed up for Queer Prom 2023! Donate your gently used prom or formal attire for this event. Diversity Thrift will be collecting these suits, ties, dresses and more from May 12th to May 31st. When dropping off, let our donation associates know it’s for Side by Side. Youth in need of Queer Prom attire can visit us from May 31st to June 2nd between 4pm and 6pm! During this time Side by Side volunteers will be available to assist in finding you the best “fit” for this event. So be sure to stop by!” Note: Diversity Thrift will be closed on Memorial Day, Monday, May 29th. For more information this event, visit sidebysideva.org

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