Equality VCU
Equality VCU is open to any and all VCU Faculty or Staff members who are interested in LGBTQ+ initiatives, regardless of your gender identity or sexual orientation. We host a monthly meeting to discuss challenges, share updates, and advertise opportunities for connection, advocacy, and more. You can stay up to date by subscribing to our listserv!
Mission
Equality VCU is a collaborative, advisory and advocacy body representing the aspirations and concerns of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, intersex/DSD, and asexual peoples (LGBTQIA+) affiliated with Virginia Commonwealth University. This group serves to advance the university’s strong commitment to fully realizing the many benefits of our diversity and providing community building opportunities that connect faculty and staff across the university. Equality VCU envisions a teaching, learning and working environment where LGBTQIA+ individuals are integrated into all aspects of the intellectual life and social fabric of the university, have equal access to resources and services, and receive equitable treatment as members of the university community.
Contact us
equality@vcu.edu
Drop us an email to join our listserv.
Our meetings are currently held on the first Thursday of the month from 2:30- 3:30pm EST. Attendees can connect remotely via Zoom. VCU faculty and staff who are interested in attending a meeting are welcome to do so. No RSVP is required, but if you have questions or would like to introduce yourself ahead of time, you can contact us at equality@vcu.edu. Request to join our listserv to receive meeting and event information in your inbox.
The Burnside Watstein LGBTQIA Awards are given annually to recognize individuals who enrich the sense of community at Virginia Commonwealth University and make a significant difference in the lives of LGBTQIA faculty, staff and students. We honor individuals in 5 categories: Faculty, Staff, Students, Alumni, & Community Members. Here is an article on the awards from 2025.
2025 Recipients
Dr. Myriam Kadeba
Aurora Higgs
Gray Scott
Nicole Killian
Dr. Chelsey Llayton
View a full list of prior recipients here.
Support LGBTQ+ advocacy on campus while honoring the efforts of a leader in the VCU Community - the Dorothy Fillmore Scholarship. For 35 years, our friend Dorothy Fillmore has been a champion for LGBTQIA students, staff and faculty at VCU as well as for the greater Richmond Community. In 1993 she was awarded the Governor's Silver Medal for Volunteerism, Commonwealth of Virginia Award for her volunteer work with HIV/AIDS. In 2012 she received Equality VCU's Burnside Watstein LGBTQ Award, in 2013 she was honored with the Catalyst Award from Side by Side (formerly ROSMY), and in 2016 was awarded the VCU President's Inclusive Excellence Lifetime Achievement Award. Fillmore is a prior co-chair of Equality VCU and in July 2020, retired from VCU as the Director of Academic Operations for the Psychology Department.
Once fully funded, recipients of the Dorothy Fillmore Scholarship will be full-time degree-seeking VCU students. Preference may be given to students who are the first in their family to attend college or who have been financially separated from their families support. To be eligible, applicants must be actively engaged with the LGBTQ+ community. The scholarship will help students suffering from housing instability, food insecurity, tuition, or other expenses related to their college experience and is open to all.
To donate or pledge a donation, you have several options:
Give Online: Please click this link and complete the rest of the required fields as instructed. Please contact Josh Leidy at leidyjw@vcu.edu to let him know you have made a gift.
VCU and VCU Health employees can use payroll deduction. Please click this link, choose which type of employee you identify as and fill out the form provided. In the "Direct My Gift" To area, please select, "Other". Once clicked, fill out the area below as the "Dorothy Fillmore Scholarship." Please contact Josh Leidy at leidyjw@vcu.edu to let him know you have made a gift.
For additional gift questions, guidance, or assistance, including requesting a Statement of Future Gifts Form or Pledge/Gift Form, please contact Josh Leidy at leidyjw@vcu.edu.
We hope you will consider a donation to this important scholarship. Now, more than ever, our students need our support.