Fan Free Clinic: The Beginning
Although not directly an LGBTQ organization, the Fan Free Clinic was the first free health clinic in Virginia, founded in October 1970. It first operated out of the 1st Unitarian Universalist Church in the Fan, moved to the Hanover Avenue Christian Church in 1971. After several moves, Fan Free Clinic moved to the current location at 1010 North Thompson Street. Fan Free Clinic originally focused on women’s health and the prevention of transmissible diseases, but became a major health care provider for the LGBTQ community during the 1980s AIDS crisis and continues to serve as a major provider of AIDS care and also houses one of the few clinics serving the transgender community in Virginia.[1]
References
- Beth Marschak and Alex Lorch, Lesbian and Gay Richmond, Charleston SC: Arcadia Publishing, 2008, p. 72