Saturday, November 7th, 2026

Features

VCU celebrates university’s first LGBTQ+ student organization

October 28, 2026

Saniyah Pullen, Contributing Writer  Sophie Messick, Contributing Writer 50 years ago, the Gay Alliance of Students at VCU won a court appeal that would force VCU to recognize them as a registered student organization, according to a previous report by the CT. On Oct. 16, a marker was unveiled, honoring the GAS student founders and their fight for expression.  The organization was intended to create a “unified support community for men and women of all sexual orientations, serve as an informative resource to the university and surrounding community and assist the university in creating a positive institutional image,” according to the VCU Scholars Compass. The organization submitted their application to the VCU Office of the Dean of Student Life on Sept. 5, 1974. The application was referred to Richard Wilson, the Vice President of Student Affairs, and then the Board of Visitors.  GAS was denied registration in a vote of 7-2 by the BOV.  “Existence of GAS as a recognized campus organization would tend to attract other homosexuals to the University,” according to the VCU Scholars Compass. Josh Leidy, director of affinity engagement & philanthropy, at VCU’s office of Development and Alumni Relations said now, VCU students are able to

The art of being understood

October 28, 2026

Elle Cota, Spectrum Editor A textbook can explain the body, but it cannot contain every experience of living in one. Through color, texture and form, artists communicate what words alone often cannot. “Embodied Knowledge,” a juried exhibition at VCU Health Sciences Library, brings together work that explores the perspectives of disabled artists’ work reflecting experiences of illness, disability, healthcare and survival. The title “Embodied Knowledge,” reflects the understanding people develop through navigating healthcare, including the trial and error involved in finding care teams that listen to and understand them.  Xavier McDaniel, a senior painting and printmaking student and arts and social programming director for VCU’s Disability Advocacy and Accessibility Caucus, curated the exhibition.  “It’s important to highlight that disabled is an umbrella term and that there are many people out there who don’t consider themselves disabled,” McDaniel said. “I always include, ‘Are you neurodivergent? Do you have a chronic condition? Chronic illness?’ Like all of those things fit within this term of being disabled.” The open call attracted 44 artists from the Richmond community, each having the opportunity to submit three pieces. The final exhibition features 19 works. McDaniel said he wanted the space to encourage people’s engagement with what

Richmonders honor history of Gabriel’s Rebellion at 24th annual gathering

October 14, 2026

Saniyah Pullen, Contributing Writer Ellie Waltman, Managing Editor The Virginia Defenders hosted its 24th annual Gabriel Gathering on Oct. 10 to educate and honor the history of Gabriel’s Rebellion, which occurred 226 years ago.  The event took place on Oct. 10, the day that Gabriel was executed, and was used to discuss how Gabriel’s story and the lessons learned from it could be used in current justice issues today.  The event featured speakers from the Virginia Defenders and unionized workers from United Food & Commercial Workers Local 400, APWU Local Retirees Chapter, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden Workers United and the United Campus Workers of Virginia.  Gabriel, historically known as Gabriel Prosser after being given the last name of his enslaver, Thomas Prosser, was born into slavery in 1776. At 23 years old, he began to plan a rebellion with over 2000 enslaved people to forcibly take the Capitol and the Virginia State Armory to bargain for the release of Governor James Monroe in exchange for freeing Virginia’s enslaved population, according to the Library of Virginia.  On August 30, 1800, the planned rebellion took a sudden turn when a severe storm forced Gabriel to delay the event. Some enslaved people who

Through the lens, VCU filmmakers tell stories that connect

October 7, 2026

Elle Cota, Spectrum Editor Graduates from the Robertson School of Communication will take their documentaries beyond the classroom this Saturday, Oct. 10, at the Washington West Film Festival.  The films are part of (CAP)SULE, a capstone program designed by Robert Milazzo, an assistant professor and media production sequence coordinator, gives media production students opportunities to publicly share stories on how they see Virginia. It is conceived as a “time capsule” of the people, places and communities that hold meaning through a generational lens.  Robertson students produced, directed, shot and edited documentaries, with original scores created through collaborations with graduate composer programs at Johns Hopkins University and Berklee College of Music.  “Film Team,” a 15-minute documentary directed and produced by Anastasia Hines, follows students at Manchester High School in Chesterfield County as they create a film of their own.  After spending years creating films, Hines found herself back where her filmmaking journey began — at a high school film team. Hines first became interested in filmmaking as a child, making YouTube videos with her brother before joining her high school’s newly created film team. Since then, she has made more than 30 films. Hines wanted the documentary to have a reality-style,

VCU celebrates university’s first LGBTQ+ student organization

October 28, 2026

Saniyah Pullen, Contributing Writer  Sophie Messick, Contributing Writer 50 years ago, the Gay Alliance of Students at VCU won a court appeal that would force VCU to recognize them as a registered student organization, according to a previous report by the CT. On Oct. 16, a marker was unveiled, honoring the GAS student founders and their fight for expression.  The organization was intended to create a “unified support community for men and women of all sexual orientations, serve as an informative resource to the university and surrounding community and assist the university in creating a positive institutional image,” according to the VCU Scholars Compass. The organization submitted their application to the VCU Office of the Dean of Student Life on Sept. 5, 1974. The application was referred to Richard Wilson, the Vice President of Student Affairs, and then the Board of Visitors.  GAS was denied registration in a vote of 7-2 by the BOV.  “Existence of GAS as a recognized campus organization would tend to attract other homosexuals to the University,” according to the VCU Scholars Compass. Josh Leidy, director of affinity engagement & philanthropy, at VCU’s office of Development and Alumni Relations said now, VCU students are able to see diverse representation of the queer community and the institution is trying to keep up with that. “There’s a lot of outside pressure being put on higher education to stifle LGBTQ initiatives, and I think VCU is trying to do its best to support LGBTQ initiatives,” Leidy said. Leidy said the VCU has a responsibility to tell history and preserve it, even if it does not paint it in a positive light. On April 9, 1975, a local attorney, John M. McCarthy, filed a lawsuit on behalf of GAS. McCarthy argued that VCU’s refusal violated the students’ First and Fourteenth Amendment Rights.  VCU’s assistant attorney general defended their denial with four reasons.  “GAS would increase opportunity for homosexual contact; the existence of GAS as a registered organization would encourage some students to join the organization who otherwise might not join; being involved in GAS could be socially and psychologically harmful to individuals; and GAS would tend to attract more homosexuals to VCU ,” stated                 .  District Court Judge D. Dortch Warriner upheld VCU’s decision and decided GAS was entitled to some student organization benefits, such as access to VCU facilities, advertising, and

The art of being understood

October 28, 2026

Elle Cota, Spectrum Editor A textbook can explain the body, but it cannot contain every experience of living in one. Through color, texture and form, artists communicate what words alone often cannot. “Embodied Knowledge,” a juried exhibition at VCU Health Sciences Library, brings together work that explores the perspectives of disabled artists’ work reflecting experiences of illness, disability, healthcare and survival. The title “Embodied Knowledge,” reflects the understanding people develop through navigating healthcare, including the trial and error involved in finding care teams that listen to and understand them.  Xavier McDaniel, a senior painting and printmaking student and arts and social programming director for VCU’s Disability Advocacy and Accessibility Caucus, curated the exhibition.  “It’s important to highlight that disabled is an umbrella term and that there are many people out there who don’t consider themselves disabled,” McDaniel said. “I always include, ‘Are you neurodivergent? Do you have a chronic condition? Chronic illness?’ Like all of those things fit within this term of being disabled.” The open call attracted 44 artists from the Richmond community, each having the opportunity to submit three pieces. The final exhibition features 19 works. McDaniel said he wanted the space to encourage people’s engagement with what

Richmonders honor history of Gabriel’s Rebellion at 24th annual gathering

October 14, 2026

Saniyah Pullen, Contributing Writer Ellie Waltman, Managing Editor The Virginia Defenders hosted its 24th annual Gabriel Gathering on Oct. 10 to educate and honor the history of Gabriel’s Rebellion, which occurred 226 years ago.  The event took place on Oct. 10, the day that Gabriel was executed, and was used to discuss how Gabriel’s story and the lessons learned from it could be used in current justice issues today.  The event featured speakers from the Virginia Defenders and unionized workers from United Food & Commercial Workers Local 400, APWU Local Retirees Chapter, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden Workers United and the United Campus Workers of Virginia.  Gabriel, historically known as Gabriel Prosser after being given the last name of his enslaver, Thomas Prosser, was born into slavery in 1776. At 23 years old, he began to plan a rebellion with over 2000 enslaved people to forcibly take the Capitol and the Virginia State Armory to bargain for the release of Governor James Monroe in exchange for freeing Virginia’s enslaved population, according to the Library of Virginia.  On August 30, 1800, the planned rebellion took a sudden turn when a severe storm forced Gabriel to delay the event. Some enslaved people who

Through the lens, VCU filmmakers tell stories that connect

October 7, 2026

Elle Cota, Spectrum Editor Graduates from the Robertson School of Communication will take their documentaries beyond the classroom this Saturday, Oct. 10, at the Washington West Film Festival.  The films are part of (CAP)SULE, a capstone program designed by Robert Milazzo, an assistant professor and media production sequence coordinator, gives media production students opportunities to publicly share stories on how they see Virginia. It is conceived as a “time capsule” of the people, places and communities that hold meaning through a generational lens.  Robertson students produced, directed, shot and edited documentaries, with original scores created through collaborations with graduate composer programs at Johns Hopkins University and Berklee College of Music.  “Film Team,” a 15-minute documentary directed and produced by Anastasia Hines, follows students at Manchester High School in Chesterfield County as they create a film of their own.  After spending years creating films, Hines found herself back where her filmmaking journey began — at a high school film team. Hines first became interested in filmmaking as a child, making YouTube videos with her brother before joining her high school’s newly created film team. Since then, she has made more than 30 films. Hines wanted the documentary to have a reality-style,

VCU Rice Rivers Center aids in Atlantic sturgeon population recovery

September 30, 2026

Hazel Lair, Contributing Writer The Atlantic sturgeon, a federally endangered species of fish, has made its return to the James River for breeding season, despite worries regarding the population’s dwindling numbers. Now, the number of sturgeon is back in the thousands. VCU’s Rice Rivers Center, also known as “VCU’s river campus,” has worked to tag and track the fish in order to protect the species.  In 2007, scientists believed that the James River had only 300 sturgeon left, according to Smithsonian Magazine. As of last year, Rice Rivers has tagged over 2,500 separate sturgeon, confirming that the species still has hope for recovery. The Rice Rivers center has worked alongside the James River Association, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric The Upper Mattaponi Indian Tribe and the Pamunkey Indian Tribe to restore the sturgeon population, according to a previous report by the CT.  Researchers assist state and federal agencies on determining which habitats in the river are most important for “critical spawning, nursery and migration activities, as well as the importance of threats like collisions with large vessels and habitat loss,” according to  the VCU Rice Rivers Center website. Each year, as sturgeon sense the temperature drop in the fall, they

Iron Blossom Festival blooms for the fourth year

September 23, 2026

Elle Cota, Spectrum Editor Bare feet pressed into the grass as live music carried through the open skies of Midtown Green, where Iron Blossom Music Festival returned Sept. 19 to 20 for its fourth year as the final days of summer unfolded.  Blankets and inflatable couches filled the grass as people of all ages played, laughed, cheered, danced, talked and sang along to the music while frisbees and footballs were tossed across the field. Music drifted between the two stages: iron and blossom.  When the sun moved in and out of the clouds throughout the days, the crowd had grown larger as the day continued and headliners took the stage. This year’s festival headliners included LCD Soundsystem, Jack White and Richmond-based bands, Shera Shi and Night Idea. Over the two-day event, which began in 2023, people came together around the live music. For attendees Julie Slivka and Lauren Hennessy, the festival became a part of their yearly routine. The two have been best friends for 31 years and counting, starting their friendship right next door. They have attended the festival together for three consecutive years. Slivka and Hennessy’s plans for the festival began before the lineup was announced. They bought

VCU students raise awareness for vascular disease with new initiative

September 16, 2026

Skye Hathaway, Copy Editor  Young adults are usually not concerned about blood clots, but VCU students Sarah Ralston and Mollie Wheeler are looking to change that by working to educate college students on deep vein thrombosis.  While blood clots often affect older individuals, young people are still at risk of being affected, according to Ralston. She said it is important for students to be able to recognize the signs and symptoms of a blood clot in order to medically advocate for themselves. Ralston and Wheeler, both second-year Doctor of Physical Therapy students, created the project after meeting a father who wanted to spread awareness for DVT in young women after losing his daughter. Together, they work to teach young people about what causes DVT and how they can identify it. While putting posters up in an exam room at the Medical College of Virginia campus, Wheeler said that she and Ralston spoke to the medical director for VCU Health, who had sent two college-aged women to the hospital for DVT concerns that summer.   DVT may appear as a small patch on your leg or arm, which young people may brush off as a bruise, Ralston said. DVT most commonly occurs

Tag, you’re it! Ultimate game of tag held in Monroe Park

September 9, 2026

Elle Cota, Spectrum Editor For one hour on Sept. 3, Monroe Park looked less like a downtown Richmond park and a little more like a playground. More than 100 people gathered from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. for Infection Tag, a free event organized by Ruckus, a community-based organization focused on providing resources and spaces bringing love. The group was led by Odist Powell alongside his longtime friend, Joe Armstrong.  The event featured four rounds of tag, each lasting around 12 minutes. The organizers sectioned off portions of the park near S. Belvidere St. and W. Main St. so participants could run without disrupting others using the space.  At the beginning of the event, Powell asked participants to stretch physically and mentally by talking to someone new. At the beginning of each round, organizers selected one person to be “it.” After giving the other players 10 seconds to scatter, the runner in a pink pinnie jersey chased them down. Each person tagged grabbed a pink pinnie jersey or sweatband before rejoining the game as another tagger. Powell drew inspiration from an event he attended in New York City in February called Wrestling Speed Dating, hosted by the organization Grown Kid,

‘A real second chance’ Restoration of voting rights on the ballot for formerly incarcerated people

September 2, 2026

Sal Orlando, News Editor “It makes you still feel like you have a scarlet letter in your head, like I’m less than, or that I’m not a full citizen,” Sam Harris, a Suffolk resident, said about previously losing his voting rights. Harris was granted his right to vote back by Gov. Abigail Spanberger last month, along with over 66,000 other people who were previously convicted of a felony, in her time in office. Under the Virginia Constitution, no person convicted of a felony is qualified to vote unless their civil rights are restored by the governor. The immediate reenfranchisement for over a quarter million people will be on the ballot this November in Virginia, the first time in 44 years. Reenfranchisement is the granting of rights back to people who had them taken away, according to Oxford Dictionary. Harris reflected on not voting in the 1993 gubernatorial election and former Gov. George Allen signing a bill abolishing parole. “That was in the 90s, and imagine me going to prison in 99, 2000 and being affected by something that the government came in and did,” Harris said.  Harris mentioned he regretted not voting prior to his incarceration, and would vote if