Lesbian and Gay Richmond (Images of America: Virginia)
Title: Lesbian and Gay Richmond - Now AvailableAuthor: Staff WriterPublisher: The LGBT Richmond ResourceDate: 7/18/2008In Lesbian and Gay Richmond, by Beth Marschak and Alex Lorch, the history of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in Richmond, Virginia, invokes a rich but uncelebrated past. From the first recorded sodomy prosecution in America in 1624 to the fight to repeal the "crimes against nature" laws, LGBTs have left their imprint on almost 400 years of history in the Old Dominion's capital. Lesbian and Gay Richmond presents aphotographic showcase of the events, people, and places that have been a part of this history. There are snapshots from the 1920s and 1930s when avant-garde and gay authors caroused and shared ideas in private homes.Previously untold stories from the post-World War II era tell of the rise of the gay cafÃ©s in Richmond and the subsequent attempts by the authorities to shut their doors. Much like larger cities to the north and west of Richmond, the attempts to close these bars led to the first public protests in the late 1960s.Other images show how Richmond has a unique story to lend to the larger national LGBT history. The photographs were compiled by Alex Lorch, community outreach archivist at VCU Libraries and Beth Marschak is a local LGBT activist and founder of Richmond Lesbian Feminists. This book isavailable at Phoenix Rising and stay tuned here for information on local book signings to be held in the fall.