VAVP

The Virginia Anti-Violence Project

vavp

The First Black Pride in Virginia!

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Pride has been a recurring proclamation of queer liberation that has spread throughout the world. Some question the integrity of what Pride has become, because it started with riots and protest as a direct response to over-policing of QTPOC spaces and police brutality, and has now turned to days filled with parties, rallies, and parades. However, because of the origins of Pride, these celebrations are highly important in Queer communities, especially in those of color. Because marginalization of Black and Brown folks doesn’t dissipate in the LGBTQ community, there have been ethnic specific Prides in different regions, and this year is going to be Virginia’s first, right here in Richmond.

This event serves to be monumental, because not only is it being orchestrated by Queer Black folks right here in the capital of the Confederacy, but because it’s going to be a weekend of joy and celebration of identity and all of its intersections during such a turbulent time in history, especially here in the Richmond.

A lot of us spend a majority of our time fighting against the systems placed against us, and this weekend is going to have purpose, and part of that purpose is a celebration of our continued existence and resilience, which is necessary for us to continue to move forward.

We invite you to join the weekend of festivities as we celebrate the First Black Pride of Virginia:

For more information, contact Black Pride RVA at 804-293-0797.

Charlottesville

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Thirteen months ago, the Virginia Anti-Violence Project [VAVP] issued a statement articulating our organizational commitment to stand in solidarity with black and brown communities in the face of state sanctioned violence. Given the hyper-visible manifestations of white supremacy over the past weekend in Charlottesville, it is with deep feelings of pain, love for our communities, and fierceness that VAVP says, yet again, to our black and brown family, we see you, we support you, we are you, and VAVP will continue to fight for our lives.

As an organization whose mission is to address and prevent all forms of violence against Virginia’s diverse LGBTQ+ communities, the Virginia Anti-Violence Project understands, through both individual and organizational lived experiences, the adverse effects of violence and trauma on intersectionally oppressed communities. The broad LGBTQ+ community holds many diverse identities and the strategies that we use to individually address and end white supremacy will vary greatly. It is our moral imperative, however, to collectively work to identify and dismantle the individual, interpersonal, and institutional structures that were intentionally created to prop up white supremacy.

Racism impacts black and brown people’s access to, and experience of, education, employment, the economy, housing, and health and wellness. The systematic and disproportionate levels of education, employment, and economic discrimination; housing instability; and health disparities that communities of color experience are inextricably linked to greater risks of experiencing violence. To be clear, the nature of these identities do not make us more prone to violence, it’s the community and cultural conditions of white supremacy that lead to this increased risk. These realities are the reasons that intersectionality and racial justice are two of the primary organizational values that guide and direct the work of the Virginia Anti-Violence Project.
As always, VAVP will be holding space in community throughout August in various places. We are inviting LGBTQ+ identified folks that might be in need of emotional support to join us in community. This month, these spaces will be specifically staffed by LGBTQ+ identified people of color and we will be intentionally focussed on providing support related to being impacted by racialized violence. The upcoming August dates/spaces include:

Wednesday, August 16, 6:30pm – 8:30pm Youth [ages 14-20] of Color Support Group [collaboration with Side by Side, come at 6 p.m. if you have never been before]

Thursday, August 17, 12pm – 3pm, VAVP Pop-Up advocacy hours @ Diversity Richmond

Jueves 17 de agosto, de 7pm a 8:30pm, busca la casita junto a la piscina en la esquina de Clarkson Rd & Southwood Parkway

Monday, August 21, 6pm – 8pm, VAVP Pop-Up advocacy hours @ Nationz Foundation

Tuesday, August 22, 3:30pm – 6:30pm, VAVP Pop-Up advocacy hours @ Side by Side

Monday, August 28, 6pm – 9pm, SONG/VAVP Black August Bail Out: Care Package & Art Party, The Comm Room

VAVP offers services to LGBTQ+ individuals that have been impacted by intimate partner abuse, sexual assault, and stalking, as well as hate/bias motivated harassment and violence. VAVP also has resources to support training and consultation with agencies, community groups, congregations, and other interested organizations. For more information on the Virginia Anti-Violence Project, email info@virginiaavp.org or call 804-925-9242. If you are LGBTQ+-identified and you have been impacted by violence, you can also call the 24-hour, toll-free, confidential Virginia LGBTQ+ Helpline at 1-866-356-6998.