The Hampton Roads OUTreach Center (HROC) is a not-for-profit organization. HROC’s goal is to support, inform and connect the LGBTQ communities through programs providing information, education, health and well-being, cultural and social activities, and social justice. HROC is fully inclusive to all LGBTQ individuals in Hampton Roads without judgment or restriction due to sexual orientation or gender identity.
History
The concept of a LGBTQ Community Center in Hampton Roads started with a conversation. The dream is becoming a reality! A diverse and inclusive group of volunteers from all walks of life are working to create HROC as the first LGBTQ Community Center in the 32nd largest metropolitan area in the United States and the second largest between Washington, DC and Atlanta, GA. A conservative estimate is that there are over 50,000 LGBTQ people residing in Hampton Roads, Virginia.
It was recognized that in order to begin the planning process a name for such a community center was needed. Members of the Hampton Roads LGBTQ community were encouraged to submit proposed names. Two criteria were used for choosing the five finalists from the submitted names. The name had to be inclusive, and it had to make sense while being easily recognized. The winning name, HROC was chosen by an online poll conducted from May 1, 2008 to May 10, 2008, and a poll conducted at the Rainbow Cactus nightclub on Saturday, May 10, 2008.
Emeritus Directors
Pat Mulligan
Pat Mulligan, former President of HROC's Board of Directors, relocated to Hampton Roads from New Jersey in 1988, and has lived throughout Hampton Roads. Currently, she resides in the City of Hampton. Pat is the Captain of Equality Virginia's Peninsula Community Action Team and has worked as a volunteer for Hampton Roads Pride. She currently participates as a founding member of HRBOR (Hampton Roads Business OutReach) and until recently, served as the Secretary of HRBOR's Board of Directors. Pat was a member of NLMCC (New Life MCC of Hampton Roads) where she held several leadership positions at NLMCC from 1991-2001, including board member. She is an Associate Broker with RE/MAX Peninsula. Pat has two sons in college in Colorado.
Don Davis
Don Davis is a native North Carolinian who has resided in Williamsburg, Virginia for the past 20 years. He has served on the boards of directors for more than 30 organizations since graduating Wake Forest University in 1980. Don was a founding member of Lavender Light of the Virginia Peninsula; served six years on the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force's Board of Directors; and remains an active, outspoken, and visible leader in the greater LGBT community. Don's life partner of 14 years, Jim Cook, died of AIDS in 1996.
Nathan Greene
Nathan Greene, former Treasurer of HROC's Board of Directors, is a native of Texas who has resided in Hampton Roads since 1988 when stationed in Norfolk while serving in the United States Navy. Upon completion of active duty, he briefly lived in Pittsburgh, but soon returned and made Norfolk his home. Since coming out in 1994, Nathan has been active in several gay and gay-friendly organizations such as Tidewater Volleyball Association (TVA), the Mid-Atlantic Alternative Softball Association (MAASA), the Hampton Roads Men's Chorus (HRMC), and the Mid-Atlantic Alternative Volleyball Association (MAAVA) where he currently holds the position of League Commissioner. In mid-2002, Nathan became very active in volunteering with ACCESS AIDS Care, and in August of 2006, became their Volunteer Coordinator. He lives with his life partner John in Norfolk.
Rev. Reg Richburg
Reg C. Richburg, former Board of Director's member, lives in Norfolk, Va. Reg is a graduate of SUNY Stony Brook University Graduate School of Social Welfare. While serving as the senior administrator of a New York social service agency, he graduated from Columbia University Graduate School of Business' Institute for Not for Profit Management. Reg has been involved in community development projects since the late 70's. Currently, he serves as the Pastor of New Life MCC of Hampton Roads as well as acting as a consultant to the Transgender Clinic (TLC), a program of ACCESS AIDS CARE.
