While the Trump administration seeks to roll back their protections, the queer community wants the world to know their voice will not be silenced.
The Staunton Pride Festival will take place on Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. at Gypsy Hill Park.
October 11th is recognized as National Coming Out Day. October is also celebrated as LGBTQ History Month, a time to educate the public about the achievements and resilience of the queer community.
The celebration will include drag performances, live music, food trucks, a health and wellness fair and more.
“Throughout history, and also in this moment in time, our community has felt a push to return to the closet and remain silent,” said Kirby, a programs administrative manager for the Shenandoah LGBTQ Center.
“I think it’s extra important for Pride to create this really visible display of our vibrant queer community.”
The Trump administration has targeted the queer community through a slew of executive orders rolling back protections for the LGBTQ+ population; limiting gender identity to two sexes, male and female; directing agencies to terminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs; and limiting access to gender affirming care for young people, to name a few actions by the president and his administration.
The Republican Party platform has shifted its language to promote a “culture that values the sanctity of marriage.” The U.S. Supreme Court is also reportedly weighing the continuation of equal marriage rights to same-sex couples.
ICYMI
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- Librarian who planned Augusta County Pride event tells all: And it’s worse than we thought
- Bartender, drag queen finds home in Staunton, aka the ‘Queen City’
- Waynesboro venue to celebrate pride in face of Trump’s war on LGBTQ
In the Valley, despite months of planning, the Augusta County Board of Supervisors recently shut down a Pride event planned at the public library citing safety concerns as excuse for the last-minute cancellation.
Waynesboro, on the other hand, hosted PRISM, an annual celebration of the LGBTQ community at Basic City Beer Co. on Sept. 27. The event was originally scheduled to be held downtown, but rain led to a change of venue.
Despite Trump’s best efforts to quiet lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer individuals whose identities differ from the heterosexual norm, Kirby believes the festival makes a strong political statement that they won’t be shamed, and they will continue to be visible in the Queen City and beyond.
“This year, we want to proclaim that we belong here,” Kirby said. “Queer people belong in Staunton, the wider community, and everywhere we want to be.”
Staunton Pride details
More than 50 vendors will take part in the event including the Charlottesville Roller Derby, Equality Virginia, LGBT Democrats of Virginia, Staunton Montessori School, Staunton Downtown Development Association, Friendly City Safe Space, the American Shakespeare Center and a number of local churches, nonprofits and businesses.
- Community art project is planned in collaboration with the Art Hive Collective
- Bandstand lineup to include live music, drag performances and a fashion show
- The Hot Mamas will be headlining the event.
- Five food trucks: Nolia’s Lemonade, Dominos, Cousins Maine Lobster, Tico’s Treats and Ubon Thai
- Health and Wellness Hub offering direct health-related services, resources and education
- Confidential STI testing will be provided by the Central Shenandoah Health District
- Name change clinic offered
- Warm room hosted by the ARROW Project; a quieter space for people to decompress and rest in a less stimulating environment
- Augusta Health’s new mobile care unit will be on hand
More information on the event is available at stauntonpride.org.
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Crystal Graham
