QVA—the University of Virginia’s Queer Alumni Network—is excited to celebrate our 27th annual Gala Weekend in Charlottesville from Friday, August 28 – Sunday, August 30, 2026.
Last year we were joined by over 100 alumni, students, faculty, and staff, and we are excited to once again commit to LGBTQ+ progress at UVA and celebrate the people who are making it happen amidst a challenging external environment.
Due to high demand, tickets for this year’s Gala Weekend have sold out! However, we will be keeping a waitlist should spots become available. Please email Brendan Maupin Wynn (Col class of ’14) at brendan@queervirginia.org or Anant Das (Com class of ’19) at anant@queervirginia.org with any questions about joining the waitlist.
For more information about the weekend, including guidance on attire, accommodations, and transportation, please visit our Event Details page.
We have an exciting schedule of events planned for the weekend and we can’t wait to see you there!
Schedule at a Glance
Friday, August 28
QVA Welcome Reception: 7-9 p.m., Kimpton The Forum Hotel
Saturday, August 29
UVA Football Game, Home Opener: 3:30 p.m., Scott Stadium
- Guests can purchase game tickets in QVA’s ticket block. Tickets to the home opener are not included in weekend registration.
Awards Gala Cocktail Reception and Dinner, Kimpton The Forum Hotel
- Reception: 6:30-8:00 p.m
- Dinner: 8:00-10:30 p.m.
Sunday, August 30
- Bernard Mayes Luncheon & Panel Discussion: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Colonnade Club, The Lawn
Award Recipients
This year, QVA is recognizing faculty and staff who have held the line at UVA during a time when programs to support inclusion and belonging have faced significant challenges. Our award recipients have developed innovative strategies to support the LGBTQ+ community while meeting the legal complexities of this moment in UVA’s history.
- Outstanding Service Award: Rachel Spraker, UVA’s Assistant Vice President for Community Wellbeing & Equal Opportunity, has championed numerous initiatives alongside Kevin McDonald, including multiple sustained efforts to allow students to use the name of their choice across systems at the University.
- Shamim Sisson Ally of the Year Award: Rebecca Gilbert, a retired nurse manager at UVA Health, went above and beyond to improve transgender healthcare outcomes and patient experiences, including developing and providing training to staff across UVA on how to provide compassionate, equitable care to LGBTQ+ patients.
- Bernard Mayes Award: Bizz Glover, Co-Chair of UVA Health’s LGBTQ & Transgender Advisory Committee, has made countless contributions to queer people at the UVA Health System and across grounds on the LGBTQ Committee. One nominator called Bizz “a true UVA person who happens to be at UVA Health, but she is always thinking about the broader community.” Bizz is an indefatigable advocate, including championing UVA’s continuous score of 100 on the Health Equality Index.
If you would like to nominate anyone for a future QVA Award, please reach out to Brendan Maupin Wynn (Col class of ’14) at brendan@queervirginia.org.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Lance Guthrie (Com class of ’14)
QVA Board Chair
lance@queervirginia.org
If you have friends who are queer alumni and are not receiving our emails, please forward them this email so that they can join our listserv to receive communications, event invitations, and more!