Cuties & Queer Spaces

Written by Jasmin Gonzalez | Photos by Kerianne Brennan | Illustrations by Kit Layout by Shay Suban

While today very few explicitly homophobic or anti-LGBTQ establishments exist, such as Chick-Fil-A or the Salvation Army, the opposite is also true: very few LGBTQ-centered spaces exist. Spaces that are queer are largely limited to bars and nightclubs, which tend to signify crowded, loud spaces with intoxicated people. Where then, can queer individuals find a welcoming and easily accessible community space, open to all ages? One solution is to queer traditionally heterosexual spaces and create spaces like Cuties Coffees, L.A.’s very own LGBTQ-focused coffee shop.

Being queer is by no means a recent phenomena; queer individuals have always existed, whether society has wanted to acknowledge them or not. Given the continuing heteronormative environment that prevails to this day, it is hard for queer individuals to find and connect with others in the LGBTQ community. Representation in itself is something sorely lacking for the queer community, whether in the media or in real life. In the past, a migration of sorts occurred as many queer individuals moved to major cities like San Francisco or New York, in an attempt to increase their chances of finding individuals like themselves and to find a sense of community. Even while being among so many queer people, it was and is still hard to carve out inclusive spaces that allow all visitors to freely express themselves in whatever way they wish to. This is where Cuties comes in.

Cuties Coffee, with its ambiguously-gendered logo, emphasizes its openness for all LGBTQ individuals; it is within this inclusive environment that all queer individuals are welcome to enter, regardless of gender identity/expression and sexual orientation. With a rainbow-colored awning and pink and mint green color themes, Cuties is completely different from any other coffee shop, in terms of appearance and ambience. Upon initially visiting Cuties, I had no idea what awaited me. I was already in awe of the bright colors of the coffee shop, and walking inside I encountered such a warm environment, full of laughter and familiarity. I saw several individuals with such incredibly unique styles and appearances, and I felt my heart swell as I marveled at how safe this space was for people to be able to feel that they can present themselves in any way. The genuinely welcoming atmosphere inside was just incredible, and though I visited with a few friends that first time, I ended up speaking casually to a few of the other patrons. Everyone I encountered was just extremely friendly and carefree, with such positive energy. I felt so at ease as I didn’t have to watch my every move or try to appear as “less queer.” My experience embodies the need for queer spaces like Cuties, places where LGBTQ individuals can go to meet and connect with others like them, and be able to express themselves freely knowing that there is only acceptance there.

What sets Cuties, and similar queer spots like it, apart from gay bars, is its accessibility and inclusivity. West Hollywood, a city known for its queer population, boasts of gay bars and LGBTQ-friendly hotels, which tends to target queer tourists more so than the queer, working class, people of color that also live in the surrounding area. Gay bars, unintentionally, tend to cater to gay, cis men of similar ages and offer a place for drinking and dancing; this leaves all other queer individuals to find another space where they can comfortably relax and speak to each other in a calmer environment that isn’t exclusive. It must also be noted that, as a whole, the LGBTQ community faces a higher risk of substance abuse, so taking that into account, queer coffee shops have more of an appeal overall.

Historically, queer individuals tended to congregate in coffee shops, by chance. These coffee shops were not at all queer-focused, but rather just ended up being a meeting place for queer groups. Aside from these smaller groups, gay bars always seemed to exist as a viable space for LGBTQ individuals to meet, with some of the earliest queer establishments dating back to the early 1900s. It wasn’t until the LGBT rights movement in the late 1960s, however, when many of these bars went from being secretly LGBTQ-friendly to openly LGBTQ-friendly. So, while I emphasize the importance of queer spots that are not bars, I also acknowledge the important role that gay/lesbian bars have played in the history of the LGBTQ community, and the continued important role they will have. Just as important, however, are these emerging, inclusive environments that can allow LGBTQ individuals of all ages, gender identities, and backgrounds to come together and occupy this shared space that is accepting of all.