The sounds of Pride Month approaching could be heard a couple of blocks away in downtown Fredericksburg as drag performers Shenandoah and Ripper Slacksoff performed at Curitiba Art Cafe on May 30.
The Pride Kickoff dance party was organized by Pride Center FXBG, a division of Fredericksburg Area Health and Support Services (FAHASS). Pride Center FXBG has provided a safe space for LGBTQ+ individuals since 2022 by offering various community programs, social events, access to resources and a welcoming space for people to be themselves.
Pride Kickoff Dance Party held at Curitiba on Friday May 30. (Photo courtesy of Pride Center FXBG Instagram)
“This is so important to Fredericksburg as it’s something that draws people to the city and I’ve gotten feedback from people at different events that this is where they feel most comfortable,” said Amanda Strawn, the development manager for FAHASS. “In addition, this also makes sure that the LGBTQ+ community has some sort of roots in where they’re at.”
Pride Center FXBG has a slew of events planned for Pride Month and is also running a capital campaign to raise funds for a move to its new location on Elm Street. They plan to renovate the space, which is closer to downtown and offers the ability to host events there.
Megan Samples and Cori Blanch, who have owned Curitiba Art Cafe since 2020, take great measures to ensure that both employees and patrons of the shop are safe and free to be themselves.
“We had a lot of conversations about places we’ve worked with really poor work environments, and we wanted to do it differently,” Samples said. “We want it to use the business for a lot of social causes as Curitiba is for the people that work here and the communities that have been built in here.”
Blanch emphasized that he and Samples have a long history of being involved in social justice activism that includes — and goes beyond — the LGBTQ+ community.
“We are very resistant to any type of behavior or policy that attacks people’s ability to be themselves,” Blanch said. “It’s just a non-starter for us, and we are fully willing to accept the challenges that come with that from the top level. Everyone deserves to have a space where they know they’re going to be defended.”
Blanch and Samples take the time to ensure their employees know how to deal with occasional problematic behaviors.
“A big part of our program is teaching everybody how to look out for those situations, look out for one another, and how to respond when it happens,” Samples said. “We work really hard to make sure they know they’re safe to stand up for themselves.”
Tweli, a Curitiba employee and member of the LGBTQ+ community, was a long-time regular at the cafe before joining its staff in August 2024.
Artwork created by Tweli, an employee of Curitiba, is displayed from June 1–30. (Photo courtesy of Noelle Clark.)
“I’ve worked for restaurants all along Caroline Street, and this is one of maybe two places in town I can wear a dress and be myself,” Tweli said. “I feel so empowered here by Cori and Megan. Visibility makes a huge difference.”
In addition to working for Curitiba Art Cafe as a barista and bartender, Tweli also has their artwork on display (and for sale) in the back of the cafe.
“All of my friends, neighbors, and relationships that I’ve built up in town have come to see it and support me,” Tweli said. “The fact that all these people value me being myself and working hard to put in all this effort was really rewarding.”
Curitiba has quickly become a popular spot for the LGBTQ+ community to mingle in Fredericksburg, with a steady flow of regulars.
“The openness and willingness of the coffee shop to host events welcoming to the queer community is what keeps me coming back,” said cafe regular Maurice Flañagan. “It keeps the spirit of love, diversity and inclusivity alive and well in our community during such a vital time.”
One of Curitiba’s most popular events is the Nasty Gurlz drag show, held on the third Friday of the month at 9 p.m. The Nasty Gurlz drag show is organized and run by local drag queen and self-proclaimed Mayor of Wigglesburg (a colloquial term for Fredericksburg), Shenandoah.
The Nasty Gurlz show began about a year ago, “because we felt Fredericksburg needed a little bit of drag, and a little bit of life, too,” Shenandoah said. “We just haven’t looked back since as it’s been such an awesome change to the community.”
Shenandoah got to know the Curitiba community through the Queer Connections Coffee Social held Friday mornings, hosted by the Pride Center.
“We knew Fredericksburg really needed this,” Shenandoah said. “Now, almost every single show is sold out. I’ve found a really welcoming, nice community of friends and people from all walks of life. I’ve never felt that comfortable around so many people but you can truly be yourself without fear.”
Drag performer Tijuana Spark performing at October 2024’s Nasty Gurlz show at Curitiba Art Cafe. (Photo courtesy of Tijuana Spark’s Instagram)
Tijuana Spark, member of the Nasty Gurlz drag show, said drag has had an an empowering effect on the community.
“We’ve definitely had people yell at us from their cars or across the block as we walk down the street and we just scream right back at this point,” said Spark.
“We are here. No matter what you say, we’re still going to be here. We want people to know that you can live out and proud as a queer person and express yourself, even in Fredericksburg.”
