Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond Set to Donate LGBT Pride Flag to Valentine Richmond History Center

RICHMOND, Va. (May 25, 2012) – The Valentine Richmond History Center and the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond announce that the LGBT Pride flag that flew outside the Bank in June 2011 will be donated to the museum next month.  The Valentine has been collecting, preserving and interpreting Richmond’s history and diverse stories for over a century.

The flag was displayed last year at the request of PRISM, one of the Bank’s employee resource networks, during LGBT Pride Month, to show the Bank’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.

“We are proud that we flew the flag to send the clear message that we do not discriminate in our workplace,” said Richmond Fed President Jeffrey M. Lacker.  “Likewise, we’re proud to make this donation so that the flag, and what it symbolizes, can be preserved by the History Center.”

Bill Martin, History Center executive director, said the donation reinforces one of the History Center’s guiding principles. “Our acquisitions, exhibitions and programming continue to reflect the growing diversity within our community,” he said. “The flag allows us to continue to use the past to engage, educate and challenge our diverse community.”

PRISM, the Richmond Fed’s group for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees and their allies, supported the donation. This year, PRISM will recognize Pride Month with a variety of activities and discussions on diversity issues.

The Bank’s commitment to diversity and inclusion also includes employee resource networks focused on women, African Americans, Asian Americans, Latinos, as well as people of all abilities and generational differences in the workplace.

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The Valentine Richmond History Center collects, preserves and interprets Richmond’s 400-year history.  Located in the heart of historic downtown Richmond, the History Center provides a lively, compelling venue for Richmond residents and tourists to discover the diverse stories that come together to tell the intriguing history of Richmond.

 

For more information, contact:

Valentine Richmond History Center
Domenick Casuccio
(804) 649-0711 x322
pr@richmondhistorycenter.com