Bill Martin: A Lasting Voice for Richmond’s LGBTQ+ Community
When Richmonders remember Bill Martin, they may first think of The Valentine, Richmond history, and the decades he spent as one of Richmond’s most recognizable cultural leaders. But for Richmond’s LGBTQ+ community, Martin’s legacy reaches much further.
After moving to Richmond in 1994 and becoming director of The Valentine the following year, Martin found another way to advocate: by making sure LGBTQ+ stories were treated as an important part of Richmond’s history.
Martin understood the power of storytelling. Under his leadership, The Valentine incorporated LGBTQ+ stories, artifacts, and experiences into its broader interpretation of Richmond rather than treating them as a separate footnote.
He supported LGBTQ+ history programming and tours, including a bus tour developed with historian Beth Marschak, author of Lesbian and Gay Richmond. The tour explored the people, neighborhoods, and events that shaped Richmond’s LGBTQ+ community over the decades.
He also helped ensure that queer artifacts were included in the museum’s exhibitions. A Pride flag once flown by an LGBTQ+ employee group at the Richmond Federal Reserve became part of This Is Richmond, Virginia, the Valentine’s long-term exhibition about the city’s history.
James Millner, director of Virginia Pride, once described Martin as a champion and connector within Richmond’s LGBTQ+ community. His advocacy wasn't always highly visible, but it helped put queer Richmonders at tables where they had historically been left out.
That may be one of the most significant parts of Martin’s legacy. He didn't simply advocate for LGBTQ+ history to be told. He helped make it part of Richmond history.
Martin was also an early supporter of GayRVA, the LGBTQ+ online media outlet founded by Kevin Clay in 2009. After meeting Clay through Richmond’s LGBTQ+ community, Martin joined GayRVA’s advisory board and became a mentor and supporter of the project. His involvement reflected a broader commitment to creating space for LGBTQ+ voices and helping connect Richmond’s emerging queer community with established civic and cultural leaders.
Martin died in December 2025, but the impact of his work continues to take shape around Richmond.
In April 2026, Richmond City Council officially designated the 1000 block of East Clay Street, where The Valentine is located, in his honor. The honorary designation does not change the street's official name or addresses, but commemorative signs now recognize Martin's connection to the museum and the city.
His name also lives on through the William “Bill” Martin Tourism Scholarship, established through the Richmond Region Tourism Foundation. The annual $2,000 scholarship supports a student pursuing hospitality management at Virginia State University, connecting Martin's legacy to the tourism industry and to the next generation of Richmond-area hospitality professionals.
The Valentine also continues to honor Martin through its Richmond History Makers program, which he helped build as a way to recognize people and organizations shaping the region. The 2026 program honored his life and legacy.
For LGBTQ+ Richmonders, however, perhaps the most meaningful part of Martin's legacy is less tangible.
It is in the stories that are now being told. The artifacts that have been preserved. The tours that introduce visitors to queer Richmond. The doors that opened because Martin was willing to make space.
Bill Martin spent his career making Richmond's history bigger, more honest, and more inclusive. LGBTQ+ Richmond is part of that history, and he helped make sure the city knew it.