Support the RDC!
When you donate to the Roanoke Diversity Center, you help sustain a visible, safe, and welcoming space for all people. Your support powers one of the largest LGBTQ+ libraries on the East Coast, uplifts at-risk youth through mentorship, and keeps inclusive community events like Gaymer Night, Queer Trivia, and the Rainbow Run 5K thriving. You help provide critical education on health and wellness, support individuals and families navigating gender transition, and foster belonging through sports, storytelling, and celebration. Most importantly, your gift helps build a lasting network of LGBTQ+ resources across our region—connecting, educating, and advocating for every member of our community, now and for generations to come.
Our Mission
To support, educate, empower, and advocate for LGBTQ+ individuals and groups in the Roanoke region, and to encourage collaborative efforts with the greater community to improve the quality of life for all.
Our Vision
The RDC will inspire and empower lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people in SW Virginia to lead full and rewarding lives. We will be a catalyst for change within and beyond our community.
Our Values
To support, educate, empower, and advocate for LGBTQ+ individuals and groups in the Roanoke region, and to encourage collaborative efforts with the greater community to improve the quality of life for all.
Supporting Southwest Virginia’s LGBTQIA+ Community Since 2012
The Roanoke Diversity Center is a welcoming, safe, and engaging space for members of the LGBTQ community and its allies throughout the Roanoke Valley. In addition to housing a robust library of LGBTQ books and resources, the center provides educational programming which helps to build and foster a caring community.
Our Start And Our Growth
In 2012, the nonprofit Roanoke Diversity Center (RDC) was founded to s23erve the region’s LGBTQ+ community. Previously located in the basement of a Southeast Roanoke church, the center and its leadership paved the way for outreach to and support of sexual and gender minority people. To increase visibility and expand our impact, we moved to downtown Roanoke in 2020 on the corner of Campbell Avenue and 5th Street SW. With that move, we revamped our brand to better reflect the diversity and inclusion needs of the LGBTQ+ community, their families, and allies. Today our center is a vibrant, safe space for young people and adults with robust programming to help our community live full and rewarding lives.
How will your donation help?
Maintain a visible safe space for all people
Maintain the Roanoke LGBT Memorial Library, one of the largest on the East Coast.
Create mentorship programs for at-risk youth
Continue to support our sports programing under Blue Ridge Pride Sports
Continue hosting community building events like gaymer night, coming out stories, Rainbow Run 5K, open houses, queer trivia, and more
Provide access to education, health, safe-sex, and wellness programs
Provide support to individuals who are transitioning and their families
Connect the region’s LGBTQ+ and LGBTQ+ friendly organizations and business to create a network of resources
Educate the community and advocate for the needs of all sexual and gender minority people
Ensure the sustainability of the Roanoke Diversity Center for years to come