2018 Best of Gay HRVA Readers’ Poll Winners: Community

Best LGBTQ Non-Profit Organization

LGBT Life Center

For the third year in a row the LGBT Life Center (formerly ACCESS AIDS Care/LGBT Center of Hampton Roads) was voted the community’s favorite non-profit.  The LiGBT Life Center s a trusted leader that empowers the LGBTQ communities and all people affected by HIV through improving health and wellness, strengthening families and communities, and providing transformative education and advocacy.

Best Social Group

Knight Hawks of Virginia

Once again, the Knight Hawks of Virginia are named the top social group. The Knight Hawks is a social organization that gives people with an interest in the Leather, Levi and Fetish Community an outlet to meet, socialize and give back to the community.  Each year, they give generously to the community during the holidays.

Best LGBTQ Support Group

Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) of Hampton Roads

PFLAG of Hampton Roads is one of 400 chapters nationwide that endeavors to unite people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) with families, friends, and allies, PFLAG is committed to advancing equality through its mission of support, education, and advocacy.

Best High School Gay-Straight Alliance

Cox High School GSA (Virginia Beach)

The Cox High GSA made national news in early 2017 after their first school wide assembly was abruptly cancelled. Since then, the GSA has become the model for others that have formed throughout Hampton Roads.

Best College LGBT Group

ODU SAGA: Sexuality & Gender Alliance

ODU Sexuality and Gender Alliance is one of the two organizations at Old Dominion University offering a variety of programs to encourage LGBTQIA+ awareness on campus. ODU SAGA is a pro-active organization working alongside Multicultural Student Services, Office of Student Activities and Leadership, and other student organizations to promote student involvement while also serving as a safe space for students through discussion groups, game nights, specialty programming, and activities.

Best LGBTQ Owned Business

MJ’s Tavern

MJ’s Tavern’s friendly staff and role in the community has earned this year’s best LGBTQ owned business.

Best LGBTQ Friendly Business

Croc’s 19th Street Bistro

Celebrating its 25th anniversary during 2018, Croc’s 19th Street Bistro anchors Virginia Beach’s thriving, artistic ViBe District.  Croc’s became Virginia’s first Green restaurant in 2007 and serves dishes composed from an on-premise garden and only purchases supplies that are sustainable, organic or local.  Croc’s is also home to Sunday’s “Drag Yourself to Brunch.”

Best House of Worship

New Life Metropolitan Community Church

New Life MCC is a mainline Christian church that is neither Catholic nor Protestant, but comprised of people from many different denominational and ecumenical backgrounds and has had a presence in Hampton Roads since 1977.  New Life MCC is part of the worldwide Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches (UFMCC) a Christian movement that was started by the Rev. Elder Troy Perry in Los Angeles, California in 1968, just a year before the Stonewall Riots in NYC. Today there are some 300 MCC churches in 22 countries worldwide.

Best Medical Facility

Planned Parenthood 

Planned Parenthood supports and welcomes all people regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or biological sex, including but not limited to lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, questioning, and intersex clients. All services are provided in a respectful and professional manner.

Best LGBTQ Friendly Television Station

WAVY-10

“On Your Side”, WAVY TV-10 is Hampton Roads’ local NBC affiliate TV station.

Best LGBTQ Friendly Radio Station

WHRV – 89.5 FM

WHRV is Hampton Road’s Public Radio station serving Hampto Roads.  It is a flagship National Public Radio station, airing a mix of NPR news, talk, local shows and music.  The studios of WHRV/WHRO also serve as a meeting place for Hampton Roads Pride.