Diversity’s Gift

anyone that has ever been to rIchmond, or even passed through the city on I- 95, cannot say that they have not seen the rainbow colored building just outside the Diamond, with the words “Gay Community Center of Richmond.” To outsiders, this building looks completely silly, but the natives of Richmond, we know this building as Diversity Thrift. Diversity is considered to be one of the highest rated thrift stores in the city and also holds one of the most popular games of bingo every Tuesday and Thursday. Diversity stands out from the other thrift stores in Richmond with their immense contributions to the gay community. Last year, Diversity donated $15,000 to multiple nonprofit organizations across the city such as Richmond Organization for Sexual Minority Youth (ROSMY), Equality Virginia, The Fan Free Clinic and The Richmond Triangle Players, as well as many other nonprofit organizations.

Diversity was started by the Richmond Gay Community Foundation to help generate revenue to eventually give back to the community. Initially, the money would be given to organizations that applied for the money and was given based on a need basis. Eventually, the program became defunct and needed to be reorganized. Today, the money that is generated ,by both the thrift store as well as through the bingo games, is distributed to multiple nonprofit organizations that are actively helping people and in need of donations.

Of the two parts of Diversity, the bingo hall is what brings in the most revenue. The city of Richmond has even dubbed Diversity as, “the best run game in the commonwealth.” Of the people who run the games only two are paid for their services. Everyone else is either a volunteer or working off community service hours for the city. The two people paid are those who handle the money and call the numbers. These people are paid because they are the only ones who come in contact with the winnings, and it discourages the possibility of theft.

Anyone who is familiar with architecture knows that the thrift shop and the bingo hall do not take up all the space with the building that Diversity is run out of. Between the two, there are many vacant offices that are currently being used as storage for the thrift shop; however, any nonprofit organization that needs a place to run their business is allowed to use the offices. Since

Diversity has been at this location, over 6,000 organizations have used these offices to help the community in some sort of way.

Of all the thrift stores in Richmond, Diversity is considered to be number one and it rightfully should be. Gay rights have been a critical issue in politics for many years and if complete equality is to ever be achieved, these organizations must continue to be funded. These nonprofits benefit those who suffer from HIV and AIDs (both heterosexual and homosexual alike), educate our children on the harmful effects of bullying and help those who have been neglected by their so-called families. To me, Diversity Thrift is a shining example of how far we have come to ensure equality. Their tireless effort to continue to fund these important endeavors in our community should not go unnoticed by anyone in our diverse city, gay and straight alike.

BY CORT OLSEN PHOTOS BY PAMELA GOMEZ