Liisa Gardner, Chair of the Foundation board of directors said that Squires' hiring is a significant step that will allow the Community Center to become a full-service resource for the area's LGBT residents and visitors. "Jay brings us experience, leadership and community building skills. Few Richmond activists are as well-connected to our community and the broader community that supports our aspirations and understands our goals," Gardner said.

Squires noted that his first priority will be to restart the grant program for community groups that was temporarily suspended as construction proceeded on the Community Center. The details of the next grant cycle will be announced this winter.

"Next, we're going to develop small-group meeting and conference space for our community to complement our new event hall. Every member of the Richmond LGBT community should look at the Community Center as home. And we're going to make it comfortable, inviting, supportive and effective," Squires said.

Squires continued, "This facility is unique in Virginia. All of us should be proud of what the Foundation has accomplished. The Gay Community Center of Richmond is a permanent asset and endowment for our community. It's a welcoming place, where discrimination stops at the door. It's a place where we can meet, work together and share our lives, our challenges and our accomplishments."

Squires succeeds Jon Klein as Executive Director. Klein organized the Foundation in 1999 and led the efforts to establish the donation and grant programs, develop the Foundation's operating structure and to build the Community Center. Gardner said of Klein that "no one is more responsible for the success of the Foundation. Jon Klein has given selflessly of his time and energies, and his vision has now been realized. Our community owes Jon a tremendous debt. Our success and advancement will be the best testament to his dedication." Klein will continue to be actively involved in the Community Center and each of the Foundation's operations in a volunteer leadership role.

Squires grew up in Henrico County, and received degrees from the College of William and Mary and the University of Richmond. He has practiced law in Richmond since 1987 and in addition to his service on the Equality Virginia board has served on the boards of directors of Richmond AIDS Ministry and the Central Virginia Business and Professional Guild. He lives in Richmond with his partner of twenty years, David Albright.

The Richmond Gay Community Foundation is a tax-exempt non-profit corporation with the mission of improving the lives of Virginia's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender people both through charitable grants to other organizations and through community education and direct services to community members.

In July, the Foundation opened the Gay Community Center of Richmond located at 1407 Sherwood Avenue in a 47,000 square foot facility which features an 800-seat event hall. The facility continues to be improved and plans call for expanded community-focused programming, meeting space and support services for individuals and groups.

Since 1999 the Foundation has donated and granted over $450,000 to non-profit organizations that provide education, entertainment, programming and support for metro Richmond's LGBT residents, their friends and supporters.

To fund its charitable activities, the Foundation operates Diversity Thrift, Richmond's largest thrift store, and Diversity Bingo, both of which are housed at the Community Center. The Foundation also relies on the generous support of corporate sponsors, granting institutions and hundreds of volunteers who give of their time and resources.