By news@madrapp.org | on May 31, 2024
By Sara Jaeger
The 2024 Culpeper Pride Festival logo designed by an 11-year-old girl named Ellie. CulpeperPRIDE holds a logo contest where local artists can submit designs, and a winner is chosen via public vote. This winning entry includes a beautiful butterfly symbolizing the theme of expressing “your true colors.” Graphic courtesy CulpeperPRIDE.
You can now celebrate pride month close to home this June as well as throughout the year! Several nonprofits have recently formed in the area serving an often-marginalized community by providing free services, support groups, community activities, fundraisers and even scholarships for the LGBTGIA+ community, their friends, families and allies.
Culpeper Pride holds its 2nd-annual Pride Festival at Mountain Run Winery on Sunday.
The family friendly event runs from 12 – 5 p.m. with an adult’s only drag show from 6 – 8 p.m.
Enjoy over 50 vendor booths, free community resources, music, food trucks, guest speakers, a silent auction and even a Runway Contest at 2 p.m.
Culpeper Pride is a 501c3 nonprofit organization “dedicated to equality, education, community and freedom,” according to their website.
Corrie Gyory, the group’s founder, says that being a mom to teenagers prompted her to start the group.
“I wanted my children and their friends to have a safe place if they needed it,” Grory said. “From there it has rapidly grown!”
On October 6, 2024, there will be an Annual Gayla at Rixey Manor fundraising for a scholarship available to students in Madison, Culpeper and homeschooling programs.
Every first Thursday Culpeper Pride’s youth group meets, while every first Wednesday of the month they hold Adult Queer Game Night, both at The Collector’s Den in Culpeper.
Find their full calendar of events on their Facebook page or website:.
Fauquier Pride, a 501c3 nonprofit dedicated to the LGBTQ+ community offer many fun events and regular support groups in the Warrenton area.
On June 2, 2023, Mayor Carter Neville officially recognized June as “Pride Month” in Warrenton.
Their mission statement is “To promote and facilitate mental wellness in the communities we serve — primarily Fauquier and Rappahannock counties in Virginia.” Check out their Facebook page and website: faquierpride.org for more information about their upcoming events, resources and volunteer opportunities.
MADSafe is a 501c3 nonprofit started by Madison local mother, author, veterinarian and activist Devlyn D’Alfonso.
“Our group seeks to improve community engagement of marginalized citizens who are part of the LGBTQIA+ community, or other minority groups,” D’Alfonso said. “We do this through monthly in-person activities to provide a social network and reduce isolation.”
MADSafe will have a tent at Culpeper Pride, where you can learn more about supporting their group and participating in their events.
Find out more information about the organization check out the group’s website.