Marquis Mapp
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Pronouns: He/Him/His
What makes Richmond a great place to be out?: It wasn't until recently that I was able to bridge my love of sports and activities with my passion for service. Currently, I serve on a leadership board as the Community Director for Stonewall Sports-Richmond, a LGBTQ & Ally community-based, non-profit sports organization founded to provide the queer community with a safe place to play sports, socialize, and support other local non-profit organizations. Serving in this position, we work with numerous businesses and local government offices. I have been able to see, first hand, how open and supportive of the LGBTQ+community Richmond can be.
What’s your favorite thing to do in the Richmond Region?: Brunch. I'm gay. Is there any other reason?
What do you do here?: For me, Richmond has been a place where I have felt I can do just about anything. My passion, however, has been serving this amazing community. For the past decade I have professionally worked in mental health and see everyday the challenges people face in managing feelings and cognitive impairments. As a result, I have also had the opportunity to see how professional support and other appropriate help could vastly improve one's mental health outcomes. This inspired me to become a certified Mental Health First Aid instructor and I began offering free training for Richmonders, first holding small classes in libraries on the weekends and eventually partnering with larger organizations to extend my reach. With my experience in previously working in HIV prevention services, I also worked to give back, volunteering with organizations like the Nationz Foundation, which offers free HIV/STI testing and prevention counseling to our LGBTQ+ community. But honestly, if it helps folks, I want to do it. I've worked food drives, festivals/events, and other non-profits all over Richmond. I took my love of dancing (with my experience as a Zumba® instructor) and hosted countless fundraising events to raise money for the American Heart Association, KLM Scholarship Foundation, Side by Side and so many other local organizations.
How would you describe our LGBTQ community?
I would describe our community as growing. There are so many of us but more recently I feel we have become even more inclined to support and uplift each other. Groups like VA Pride, Black RVA Pride, Stonewall Sports-Richmond, Diversity Richmond, and Richmond Triangle Players have given the community not just fun and entertainment but meaningful experiences that has worked to connect us further. I have loved seeing the growth and the way we have wrapped love and support around each through both a pandemic and a revolution.
What would you tell somebody who has never been to Richmond before?: Eat the food, try the beer, check out the views and clean up behind yourself!
What's your favorite store?: Divine Magic & Novelties. This place is such a hidden gem. The owner is fantastic and kind, offering discounts to teachers and social workers. Additionally, you can always catch a magic show, magic class, or the owner is almost always happy to show off a few tricks. You can grab all sorts of cool random items for all of your magical needs.
What's your favorite neighborhood?: Having lived in several, my favorite would have to be Churchill. You get a little bit of everything; history, views, good eats, good drinks, some peace and quiet, but not too far from the action.
Anything else you would like to add?: #BlackLivesMatter #ArrestthecopswhokilledBreonnaTaylor #Vote #BidenHarris2020 #VisitRVA