Historical marker to tell story of VCU’s first LGBTQ+ student organization

By Brian McNeill

A yearlong celebration of Virginia Commonwealth University's first LGBTQ+ student organization, the Gay Alliance of Students, will culminate in October with the unveiling of a historical marker that will be installed on the lawn between University Student Commons and the T. Edward Temple Building.

The marker, approved in June by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, will tell the story of the Gay Alliance of Students, which formed in 1974 and embarked upon a two-year legal battle that ultimately won the group official recognition at VCU. The landmark court decision paved the way for the recognition of LGBTQ+ student organizations at universities in five states.

The marker's text will read:

In Sept. 1974, a group of students at Virginia Commonwealth University founded the Gay Alliance of Students, the university's first openly LGBTQ+ student organization. VCU rejected the Alliance's application for official recognition, prompting a legal battle that attracted local and national support for the group. In Oct. 1976, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit ruled in Gay Alliance of Students v. Matthews that VCU's refusal to recognize the organization violated the First and Fourteenth Amendments. The decision set a legal precedent, extending protections to similar student groups in Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, and West Virginia.

"I hope that when students and alumni see this marker, they understand that VCU is for everyone, and that students' voices and alumni voices matter," said Josh Leidy, director of affinity programs in VCU's Office of Development and Alumni Relations. "The Gay Alliance of Students case only came about because students had the courage to stand up and advocate for what needed to happen for the community."

To mark the 50th anniversary of the organization's legal victory and to celebrate the courage, resilience and advocacy of VCU's LGBTQ+ and ally community at VCU over the past five decades, the university launched a year of activities starting last fall. On Oct. 16, VCU will host a gala and an unveiling of the historical marker.

The GAS Collection online

For more information on the Gay Alliance of Students' 50th anniversary celebration, visit here. For a full list of events, visit here.

The marker describes an important moment in LGBTQ+ history, and it is a reflection of how far VCU has come, Leidy said.

"To have something that will exist in perpetuity right now is really impactful," he said. "I'm hoping it will be a really healing thing for some of our older alumni who were original members of the Gay Alliance of Students, and though that organization doesn't remain in name, there have been so many queer-focused organizations that have come because of them. And so whether you were an alum in '75 or you just graduated last year and got to be a part of an LGBTQ-focused organization, I hope they recognize that this is for them."

Walter Foery, who attended VCU between 1971 and 1976 and was a member of the Gay Alliance of Students, said that while his proudest accomplishment in life is his 40-year relationship with his husband, Ransom Wilson, a close second is his work with GAS and its legal victory.

"We made a difference, and I am extremely proud of that," he said.

Ten years ago, at the organization's 40th anniversary celebration at VCU, Foery was struck by how much VCU had changed.

"Back in the '70s, the Board of Visitors, in response to a letter I had sent asking them to reconsider their stance and to meet with us, said in a one-sentence letter: No, we won't change our mind, and no, we won't talk to you. It sounded like a petulant bully strutting," he said. "Fast forward to 10 years ago and the university celebrated our achievement, welcomed us to campus, gave us an award, and fed and housed us. Quite a difference."

Two-time VCU alum Dae Newman, academic affairs coordinator in the School of the Arts and past-chair for Equality VCU, said they are proud of how the VCU community has come together to honor the history of the Gay Alliance of Students.

"I've seen firsthand how much work has gone into it, and I'm happy to see much-deserved attention given to alumni who have helped cultivate a welcoming culture at VCU," Newman said.

Jason Cottrell, Ph.D., graduated from VCU with degrees in sociology and anthropology, and he is now director of Advance, a dual-admission partnership of George Mason University and Northern Virginia Community College. He said that as a double-graduate of VCU and higher education professional, he is proud that VCU students played a role in LGBTQ history.

"Having my identity come to light for me while I was at VCU, I know how critical it is to be seen and heard in college," Cottrell said. "This marker will forever commemorate the history that VCU has played in the national conversation of student rights, queer rights and queer student stories. VCU students will forever feel that they are heard and seen in our community. This marker illustrates that VCU students continue making a difference in national and global affairs and will forever tell the world that we are unapologetically history-makers."

The historical marker, Leidy said, will share the story of the Gay Alliance of Students and inspire future generations of VCU students.

"When students are walking by, walking to the library, walking into the Commons, I hope it helps them recognize that this LGBTQ history exists, and that they can use it as a sort of sense of inspiration to keep fighting for what they believe in," he said.

Virginia's historical highway marker program began in 1927 and is considered the oldest in the nation, according to the Virginia Department of Historic Resources. There currently are more than 2,600 state markers along or near Virginia roadways.