Side by Side

Side by Side Friends of Side by Side serves as an opportunity for our supporters to connect with our work serving LGBTQ+ youth in Virginia.

Side by Side (formerly ROSMY) is dedicated to creating supportive communities where Virginia's le***an, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth can define themselves, belong, and flourish. Since 1991, we have served as Virginia's lifeline to LGBTQ+ youth ages 11-20 providing weekly support groups, a youth support line, as well as trainings to local schools and communities.

Springtime was more than just fun. It was purposeful. While our youth rely on our services to survive and thrive, we rel...
05/29/2026

Springtime was more than just fun. It was purposeful. While our youth rely on our services to survive and thrive, we rely on you to help keep those services available!

We're immensely thankful for the donors at Springtime who directly impacted our ability to provide invaluable services to Virginia's youth. Because of you, we can continue planting seeds of purpose that will bloom bright!

Missed our event? You can support anytime! Simply visit our website to get started: https://www.sidebysideva.org/donate .

Many hands make light work... and wow. We're so thankful for the ones that made Springtime 2026 possible! 🌸From setting ...
05/27/2026

Many hands make light work... and wow. We're so thankful for the ones that made Springtime 2026 possible! 🌸

From setting up tables to steaming shirt displays, slinging drinks to selling raffle tickets, and the things you noticed and the things you didn't, our volunteers knocked it out of the park!

Thank you!

Interested in volunteering with us at a future event or at the Richmond Youth Center? Apply to volunteer at https://www.sidebysideva.org/volunteer

In honor of Memorial Day, Side by Side will be closed on Monday, May 25th. ❤️🤍💙As we spend time with family and friends ...
05/24/2026

In honor of Memorial Day, Side by Side will be closed on Monday, May 25th. ❤️🤍💙As we spend time with family and friends this weekend, we also pause to remember and honor the brave heroes who gave their lives in service to our country. We hope everyone has a safe, peaceful, and meaningful holiday weekend. We’ll see you again on Tuesday!

Registration opens today!Join Side by Side for "Q***r Becoming!", an empowering week-long day camp designed for LGBTQ+ y...
05/22/2026

Registration opens today!
Join Side by Side for "Q***r Becoming!", an empowering week-long day camp designed for LGBTQ+ youth ages 13–16 to celebrate their identities in a safe, vibrant space. Participants will dive into a mix of classic summer fun and transformative workshops on q***r history, gaining the knowledge needed to honor those who came before us and to root ourselves in the present community . By the end of the week, campers will walk away with practical tools for community building and skills for protecting and uplifting one another. Follow the link below to register:
online.traxsolutions.com/sidebyside/main #/search

Join us for "Q***r Becoming!", an empowering week-long day camp designed for LGBTQ+ youth ages 13–16 to celebrate their ...
05/20/2026

Join us for "Q***r Becoming!", an empowering week-long day camp designed for LGBTQ+ youth ages 13–16 to celebrate their identities in a safe, vibrant space. Camp will be from June 22-26. Participants will dive into a mix of classic summer fun and transformative workshops on q***r history, gaining the knowledge needed to honor those who came before us. By the end of the week, campers will walk away with practical tools for community building and skills for protecting and uplifting one another. Registration begins on May 22.

Meet our speaker, Cathy Davis 💚 A proud parent of two Side by Side youth and a passionate advocate for LGBTQ+ young peop...
05/15/2026

Meet our speaker, Cathy Davis 💚 A proud parent of two Side by Side youth and a passionate advocate for LGBTQ+ young people. Alongside her husband, Cathy has opened her home and heart to young adults who were not accepted by their families — creating a loving chosen family filled with many bonus children along the way. A dedicated supporter of Side by Side, Cathy has hosted fundraisers, made donations whenever she could, and continues to show up for LGBTQ+ youth with compassion, generosity, and unwavering love.

This Saturday, May 16 at Springtime, Cathy will share her family’s story and the impact that community, acceptance, and support can have on the lives of young people. Join us as we celebrate 35 years of Side by Side and the community that helps our youth grow with pride.

Our final speaker for the weekend is one of our very first Side By Side youth, Miguel Martin! Miguel Martin is a Master ...
05/14/2026

Our final speaker for the weekend is one of our very first Side By Side youth, Miguel Martin!

Miguel Martin is a Master of Social Work (MSW) student at Virginia Commonwealth University, specializing in clinical social work practice. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from VCU and is currently completing his clinical training with a focus on trauma-informed care, crisis intervention, and behavioral health assessment. Upon graduating next year, Miguel plans to pursue licensure as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and open his own mental health practice dedicated to expanding access to culturally responsive, affirming care for marginalized and underserved communities.

Miguel’s connection to this work is deeply personal. As a former participant in ROSMY, he experienced firsthand the power of a safe, affirming space during his adolescent years. This experience continues to shape both his personal life and professional path. He is happily married to his husband, Trevor Martin, and they celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary on February 14. Outside of his academic and clinical work, Miguel values family, personal growth, and creating spaces where others feel seen, supported, and empowered to be their authentic selves.

Chris Schoen (They/He) grew up in and around Richmond Virginia in the performing arts scene. They have worked for Richmo...
05/14/2026

Chris Schoen (They/He) grew up in and around Richmond Virginia in the performing arts scene. They have worked for Richmond-owned and operated businesses for over 25 years, including Virginia Rep (theatre IV), Premiere Costume, Richmond Burlesque Community, Fallout RVA. and most recently, as the Communications and Development Manager for Diversity Richmond. Their passion for supporting the LGBTQ+ community is directly related to the support they received from ROSMY (Side By Side) in their youth.

We are excited to welcome Chris to Springtime this weekend and can't wait to see you there, too!

🌹She's beauty, she's grace, and she's joining us at Springtime. She's living legend Dana St James!Known for her "old sch...
05/13/2026

🌹She's beauty, she's grace, and she's joining us at Springtime. She's living legend Dana St James!

Known for her "old school" approach to drag and utterly captivating style, Dana has been entertaining the masses for decades. As a nationally known and loved entertainer, she is equally known for her dedication to advocating for our q***r community and transgender siblings around the world.

So join us at Springtime for a dose of the legendary Dana St James!

Springtime is all about celebrating the impact Side by Side makes in the lives of our youth... who then grow up to conti...
05/13/2026

Springtime is all about celebrating the impact Side by Side makes in the lives of our youth... who then grow up to continue being the movers and shakers we need! That's why we're excited to be joined by Sarah Milston!

Sarah is the CEO and Founder of The Spark Mill - a strategic planning and change management consulting firm in Richmond. She began her journey with Side by Side on Auburn Street during high school in 1995, where she saw two girls kiss in the parking lot and suddenly understood she could have it all. She attended as a youth through college and was the organization's first Development Director, funded by the first grant the organization received from a local foundation. Subsequently, she has served on the Board and volunteered as a facilitator. When not at work, she is a wife and mother of two amazing teenagers who make their home in the Southside of Richmond.

Meet Sarah this weekend, Saturday, May 16 at Springtime! Tickets are still available on our website.

Address

2311 Westwood Avenue
Richmond, VA
23230

Telephone

+18046444800

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