about ourselves
Farmville Pride is a nonprofit inclusive organization for the Heart of Virginia’s LGBT+ community and allies. Farmville Pride works to create spaces to support LGBT+ people in Farmville and the surrounding area.
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Actions + Goals
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Host Monthly Safe-Space Social Meet-Ups
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Organize and facilitate activity based events such as our Maker's Workshops
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Award Grants to local LGBT College Students
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Provide internship opportunities with a financial stipend
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Host our Annual Pride Month Cookout
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Promote Visibility by participating annually in the Farmville Christmas Parade, the Heart of Virginia Festival, and Virginia Pridefest
Farmville Pride continues to explore and work toward other dynamic goals and actions to better serve the general and LGBT+ community. As such, Farmville Pride has established a five-year goal:
We hope to eventually have a physical space in the town of Farmville where we can offer additional programming and resources that require such a space, and to be a visual beacon to the Farmville LGBT+ community that we are all a part of this town and we all belong here.
Dr. Erin B. Waggoner, Executive Chair
Dr. Carl Riden, Treasurer
Liz Chassey, Secretary
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Diversity + Inclusion Statement
​​Farmville, Virginia, has deep roots in the struggle for civil rights. Our town has been at the heart of ugly discrimination as well as beautiful community support and diversity. In rural towns such as ours, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, class, and ability are all too often overlapping oppressions. As an LGBT+ organization, Farmville Pride is committed to listening to the most marginalized in our community and assisting them in safely living their most authentic lives. We desire to provide not only diverse, accepting spaces but also educational and monetary resources whenever possible. As we grow, we look forward to including, emphasizing, and honoring the voices and needs of our rural LGBT+ and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People Of Color) community members and collaborating with our BIPOC allies for the betterment of our rural community.​​​​​​
​​Our Story​
​​​Why was Farmville Pride established? Farmville Pride was established in 2018 as a nonprofit entity to create an environment within the Farmville community where LGBT+ individuals could feel safe, respected, and supported. Whenever and wherever we gather, the individuals who show up are the most important part of creating that environment.
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Why does Farmville deserve an LGBTQ+ organization? Farmville deserves an LGBT+ organization because every community deserves such. The act of coming out and the years that follow can be a difficult time for many reasons. Often, people perceive rural communities as less tolerant of LGBT+ individuals. As such, it is critical that Farmville and other rural communities have visible and active communities of support.
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What does Farmville Pride hope to accomplish? We hope the organization will expand into the local school systems through Gay-Straight Alliances; establish a Diversity Center where all will feel welcome; create volunteer opportunities with other community organizations; and provide information on how to find safe spaces in Farmville so LGBT+ community members can live a healthy, happy, and satisfying life.
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In Memoriam​
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Dec. 6, 2024
In The Media​
Our Mission
Farmville Pride is a nonprofit inclusive organization for the Heart of Virginia’s LGBTQ+ community and allies. Farmville Pride works to create spaces to support LGBTQ+ people in Farmville and the surrounding area.
Join us! Farmville Pride welcomes all members of the LGBTQ+ community and allies to attend its meetings and collaborate on inclusive programming, share stories, socialize with peers, and find comfort in a kind group of people.
