Let’s Meet Staunton Pride’s AnhThu Nguyen

Get ready to celebrate diversity and inclusion in the heart of Staunton!

We’re thrilled to share an interview with AnhThu Nguyen, a driving force behind Staunton Pride and the Shenandoah LGBTQ Center. AnhThu offers a behind-the-scenes look at this vibrant festival and the important work the center does year-round. Mark your calendars for the Halloween-themed Staunton Pride on October 26th from noon to 5 pm at Gypsy Hill Park. It’s a spooktacular celebration of community, acceptance, and belonging, featuring live music, drag performances, delicious food and beer, a Health and Wellness Hub, and so much more! Join us as we delve into the heart of Staunton Pride and discover why it’s an event you won’t want to miss! 

What’s your background and role in Staunton Pride and at the Shenandoah LGBTQ Center? 

I was a volunteer at Staunton’s very first Pride in 2018! My partner and I volunteered barely knowing anyone in the community. I was very fortunate to get connected to the founder of Staunton Pride and the Shenandaoh LGBTQ Center, Christopher Wood. The rest is history! I was apart of the Founding Board of Directors of the Center from 2018 – 2020. I’ve been heavily involved in Staunton Pride since 2020, and have been its Festival Director since 2021. I became Executive Director of the Center at the end of 2021. Both Pride and the Center have been a hugely important part of my life for the past six years, and I’m so honored to be a part of its growth and impact in this community.

Are there any other Staunton or area leaders we should know about?   

Too many to name! Our success as an organization has been entirely due to the community building and support of the many organizations and community stakeholders that intersect our work and support our community. Sabrina Burress, Executive Director of the ARROW Project has been walking alongside Pride and the Center from day one. She continues to be a part of our Staunton Pride leadership team and brings the WARM Room (a quiet space to decompress and get connected to mental health resources) as a unique part of our Pride.

How many people helped make this event happen?  

We have a pretty diverse and large Staunton Pride leadership team each year that ranges anywhere from 8-15 individuals. I’d say including volunteers, stage, performers, vendors — it takes nearly 200 people coming together to make this event happen each year.

How has the local Pride Festival grown and changed since it was first held in 2018? Has the Staunton and surrounding community grown more supportive and lived up to its “You Belong Here” motto? How can we build an atmosphere of inclusion?

Both our Staunton community and our LGBTQ+ community is ever-evolving — so our Pride festival certainly reflects that! Each year, our festival grows in number of those participating AND those attending, which has been a beautiful thing to witness over the years. One of the unique features of our Staunton Pride festival is that it is led by the same values to that of our non-profit Shenandoah LGBTQ Center. As such — we try to bring a social justice and equity lens to what we do, how we bridge connections and how we uplift, celebrate and build up our community. We have been so fortunate and lucky to be supported by our broader community, even amidst a pretty terrifying political landscape and increasing attacks on our LGBTQ+ community.  We build better conditions for inclusion by showing up and using our voices to advocate on behalf of all of our under-represented and marginalized communities, not just our LGBTQ+ communities.

What elements and events are unique to the Staunton festival?

All Pride festivals are unique in their own right. 🙂 For Staunton Pride — I think we do a pretty great job of having the feel of a community-led event. We aren’t trying to compete with the major cities — and I’d like to think that both city and rural folks would all find something to enjoy at Pride. There’s truly something for everyone — all ages, families, and backgrounds! In addition, we have a Health and Wellness hub that provides specific services because a healthy and supported community is a thriving one. This year, we’re providing health screenings, massages and mini facials, a Name Change Clinic, free REVIVE! training and naloxone and harm reduction supplies, as well as a WARM Room, which is a quiet area where folks can decompress and relax away from the crowds. 

What are this year’s highlights?

We’ll have a diverse mix of performers spanning drag performers (from all across the state), live music, spoken word, and hip-hop. Drägön Wägön (who are Staunton Pride regulars!) will close out our festival this year. In addition, we’ll have dance parties throughout the afternoon to really bring a fun atmosphere and get the crowd engaged. We want folks to come ready to dance and have a great time!

Is there a directory of LGBTQIA+ owned/supportive businesses? 

No — but our vendor list is a great place to start! We have the highest number of queer-owned businesses participating this year!  In addition, the Shenandoah LGBTQ Center is building a Safe Space Certification Program for local businesses and nonprofits! 

The Pride festival proceeds go to support the Shenandoah LGBTQ Center. What kinds of programming and resources does the center offer year-round?

The Shenandoah LGBTQ Center is a community center focused on supporting our local LGBTQ+ community towards thriving, in whatever way they choose to define that for themselves. We offer a drop-in community space for folks to get connected to each other, affirming resources and referrals, and education. We offer a number of free resources including a Queer Resource Library, Mutual Aid Corner, affirming clothes closet, and Tech Corner providing free computer, internet and printing services. In addition, we host a number of social events, Pride included, to increase visibility and build community. Our two major grant-funded programs span affirming health care and housing, including our Community Health Worker and Hope House programs. Our Community Health Worker program focuses on health care navigation, education and goal setting to improve coordination and access to care for our LGBTQ+ community. It includes monthly Community Health Clinics, in partnership with Augusta Health Neighborhood Clinic, Trans Health Fund, and medical case management. Our Hope House program provides connection to rapid rehousing and rental and utility assistance for young adults aged 18-24 who are experiencing homelessness.

Join us in celebrating Staunton Pride on October 26th at Gypsy Hill Park! It’s a day filled with love, laughter, and the vibrant spirit of community. By supporting Staunton Pride, you’re also supporting the essential work of the Shenandoah LGBTQ Center. Let’s continue to build a Staunton where everyone truly belongs. See you there!