For more than 20 years, ACCESS AIDS Care has been bringing HIV/AIDS awareness and support services to the Hampton Roads community. With the addition of the LGBT Center in 2011, the agency expanded its mission to provide a safe space, services, resources, education and support to the community.
Formed in 1993, the Knighthawks is a fellowship of individuals having a common interest in the leather/Levi, BD/SM, and fetish lifestyles. And they are continuously welcoming and giving back to the community with numerous social, charitable and educational events–including their summertime pier parties.
The Hampton Roads Chapter of PFLAG has a long history of providing support to families coming to terms with an LGBTQ loved one. In addition to monthly support meetings, they work in area schools, partner with other organizations and present educational programs.
Best LGBTQ Owned Business
Best LGBTQ Employee Friendly Business MJ’s Tavern
Mike Diaz and John Childers had a vision for a neighborhood pub when they opened MJs Tavern in 2012. Restaurant, bar, community meeting place and so much more, there’s something for everyone at MJs.
Best High School Gay Straight Alliance
Cox High School (Virginia Beach)
After their first schoolwide assembly was abruptly cancelled last December, the Cox High GSA came back with a new and improved event in January that was nothing but love and light. Since then, the GSA has become the model for others that have formed throughout Hampton Roads.
ODU Out at Old Dominion University offers a variety of programs to encourage LGBTQA awareness on campus. In 2017, they produced a number of events for students and the public, including a visit by out PA Rep. Brian Sims and ODU Pridefest.
Under the leadership of Rev. Canon Win Lewis, the Norfolk church has long stood for tolerance and equality. St. Luke’s was most recently in the news as the wedding venue for Tim Bostic and Toney London’s nationally-covered wedding. (Photo, Keith Cephus)
Long supportive of the LGBT community not just in its programming but its policies, WHRO Channel 15 and WHRV 89.5 FM continue to be a major cornerstone of the Hampton Roads gay community.
