Olivia Rine, Staff Writer
Nearly 50 years ago, VCU’s Gay Alliance of Students — otherwise known as GAS, won a historic court case against VCU. This October, a historical marker will be rewarded in celebration between the Commons and Temple building, according to VCU News.
A group of students founded GAS at VCU in September of 1974 as the first openly LGBTQ+ student organization, according to the Virginia Museum of History and Culture. The school originally denied the society’s application for official recognition, which led to the historical federal case that was ruled in favor of the GAS.
When GAS submitted their application, it was not sent to the VCU Office of Student Life, but instead the Board of Visitors, which was an unusual practice. The VCU BOV ultimately rejected their application, claiming that it was not in the best interest of the institution. The GAS was the only one denied in the 1975 school year out of 145 organization applications.
According to Justia, this led one student to sue Alfred T. Matthews, Dean of Student Life and Wyndham B. Blanton Jr., member of the Board of Visitors, for recognition as an official organization, and to grant GAS with the same resources as other student organizations on campus.
The landmark occasion became for an outlet for LGBTQ+ students and staff to commemorate and advocate for their community among campus, according to Josh Leidy, director of affinity programs at VCU.
Leidy said he hopes that the historical marker will be representative of a moment of hope, especially in a time where things can feel dark and upsetting.
“VCU has a responsibility to make sure that they are giving support and resources to all of their students, regardless of their gender identity or sexual identity,” Leidy said.
Leidy said he partnered with VCU to host several events, including Lavender Mic, an open mic for students and alumni to share their stories and experiences. They worked with the library to provide an archive and research guide on the GAS.
“This [marker] is the culmination of year-long events and other initiatives we have done,” Leidy said. “This is sort of the end of a really intentional year that my office and VCU has put together to push forward progress for the LGBTQ community.”
William Sachau, VCU GAS secretary and vice president from 1984 to 1985, shared the society’s main goals, which mainly centered around educating the VCU community on LGBTQ issues.
“There was a lot of education needed at that time, especially in Richmond. It was a very hostile place for LGBTQ people, and VCU was sort of like a bubble within Richmond,” Sachau said.
The GAS landmark for the GAS is an important feature added to VCU’s campus, because it highlights the community’s journey, according to Sachau.
“Everything is so cyclical in history,” Sachau said. “You have times where you have more victories, and lately we’ve had more defeats. But having something like this to note our place in society, and that we will keep trying to move forward to educate the community at large about LGBTQ equality.”
Sachau reflected on the difficulties of advocating for LGBTQ equality in the 80s, amidst the HIV and AIDS epidemic. He said it is a part of history that students should be more aware of.
“We have aspirations like everybody else,” Sachau said. “We want to build families. We want to build friendships and connections. We want to contribute to society. So just having a place at the table, and keeping that place at the table.”