compiled by Focus Middle Tennessee
June is pride month and with the uncertainty of holding events due to COVID-19
and the need to maintain social distancing, some of the 2020 pride events
have been canceled or postponed and some are scheduled for later in the
year. Here you can find a listing of pride events across Tennessee and some of the
local sites to check out on your travels. All of the dates are correct as of the time of
publication. Please check each event’s website to confirm dates and times.
MIDDLE TENNESSEE
NASHVILLE PRIDE
nashvillepride.org
Postponed. New date to be announced.
Nashville
NASHVILLE BLACK PRIDE
nashvilleblackpride.org
Fall 2020
Nashville
CHECK OUT!
It’s not hard to find the bars and hot spots in Nashville. So why not do something a little different and visit some historic LGBT+ markers around town!
PENNY CAMPBELL HISTORICAL MARKER
Dedicated December 2017
1600 McEwen Avenue, Nashville
An activist for LGBT rights and advocate for people with mental health and housing issues, Campbell co-organized Tennessee’s delegation to the 1987 March on Washington for Lesbian & Gay Rights and Nashville’s 1988 Pride parade. She was the lead plaintiff in “Campbell v. Sundquist,” which overturned a law criminalizing private, consensual, sexual acts between same-sex adults.
THE JUNGLE AND JUANITA’S HISTORICAL MARKER
Dedicated December 2018
Seventh Avenue and Commerce Street, Nashville
The Jungle, a restaurant and cocktail bar, was opened in 1952 by Warren Jett. Juanita’s Place, a beer bar, was opened by Juanita Brazier in 1956. By the early 1960s, both were known as the first gay bars in Nashville. Jett sold The Jungle in 1960, after his brother, Leslie E. Jett, was elected sheriff. In 1963, 27 men were arrested for “disorderly behavior” in a raid at Juanita’s.
BORO PRIDE
www.facebook.com/boropridetn
Saturday, September 19, 2020, 2 pm
Cannonsburg Village, Murfreesboro
CHECK OUT!
SIMPLY PURE SWEETS
simplypuresweets.com
Home to Murfreesboro’s only authentic French macaroons! Simply Pure Sweets is also a place where you can enjoy other French-inspired pastries, Southern classics, fresh coffee, teas, lemonades and more in an inclusive, welcoming environment
BORO BAR AND GRILL
theborobar.com
The Boro Bar & Grill is located near Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) and has been serving beer, burgers, and live music since 1985. The Boro Bar and Grill is very welcoming of the LGBT+ community and hosts many events from drag shows to events for Radical Arts, a local inclusive theater group.
UPPER CUMBERLAND PRIDE
ucpride.org
Saturday, August 8, 2020, 12:00 pm – 6:00 p.m.
Dogwood Park in Cookeville
CHECK OUT!
CUMMINS FALLS STATE PARK
tnstateparks.com/parks/cummins-falls
Located in the Cordell Hull Watershed, the area is a scenic spot with a swimming hole under the waterfall. Cummins Falls is Tennessee’s eighth largest waterfall in volume of water and is 75 feet high. (Be sure to heed all safety warnings.)
LAZY COW CREAMERY
lazycowcreamery.com
A welcoming space to enjoy a cool treat, the Lazy Cow Creamery is the city’s handcrafted ice cream shop that makes every batch of ice cream from scratch.
FRANKLIN PRIDE
franklinpridetn.com
Sunday, June 6, 2021
Franklin
CHECK OUT!
FRANKLIN THEATHER
franklintheatre.com
Restored historic movie house with a full bar & concessions hosting a variety of music & drama acts.
THE CRAG
https://iloverockclimbing.com/franklin/
A climbing gym and fitness company offering climbing teams and summer camps for youth climbers, fitness classes for all ages and abilities, and seasonal bouldering competitions for those climbers who want to test their limits.
WEST TENNESSEE
MID-SOUTH PRIDE (MEMPHIS)
midsouthpride.org
September 25-27, 2020
Robert Church Park, Memphis
JACKSON PRIDE
equalityjacksontn.org
Fall 2020
Conger Park, Jackson
TRI-STATE BLACK PRIDE
tristateblackpride.com
June 18-21, 2020
Memphis
CHECK OUT!
THE METAL MUSEUM
metalmuseum.org
According to memphistravel.com, the Metal Museum is the only institution in the United States devoted exclusively to the art and craft of fine metalwork. The collection includes architectural ironwork, jewelry, holloware, and sculpture. Changing exhibits feature work by national and international metalsmiths.
HISTORICAL HAUNTS MEMPHIS
historicalhauntsmemphis.com
From their Facebook page: “Join us for an unforgettable night out with Historical Haunts, ghost stories and reaching beyond the veil in an effort to make spirit contact. There is an experience for everyone from the curious who enjoy a historical tour and taste of investigating, to a hardcore 3-hour live investigation in one of the
most haunted locations in the country.”
EAST TENNESSEE
KNOXVILLE PRIDE
knoxpride.com
June 2021
Knoxville Civic Auditorium, Knoxville
CHECK OUT!
YASSIN’S FALAFEL HOUSE
yassinsfalafelhouse.com
A middle eastern restaurant run by a Syrian refugee that has been declared to be the “Nicest Place in America” by Reader’s Digest. The shop is decorated with loving words of support for all people in the world, regardless of religion, ethnicity, or sexual orientation.
BIJOU THEATER
knoxbijou.org
The Bijou Theatre is one of East Tennessee’s oldest and most revered performance
venues which serves to enhance the cultural and economic development of Knoxville by providing all-inclusive access to the arts.
CHATTANOOGA PRIDE
chattanoogapride.com
Sunday, October 4, 2020, 1 pm – 8 pm
Ross’s Landing, Chattanooga
CHECK OUT!
TENNESSEE AQUARIUM
tnaqua.org
Situated on the Tennessee River in downtown Chattanooga, the Tennessee Aquarium is home to 10,000 animals.
TENNESSEE VALLEY RAILROAD MUSEUM
tvrail.com
The Tennessee Valley Railroad is a moving museum, offering an interactive and historical experience during your visit to Chattanooga.
TRI-PRIDE (BRISTOL)
tripridetn.org
August 29, 2020, 11:00 am – 7:00 pm
Cumberland Square Park, Bristol, VA/TN
CHECK OUT!
ICONIC BRISTOL “A GOOD PLACE TO LIVE” SIGN ON STATE ST.
Bristol’s most iconic landmark and photo-op, it spans the width of State Street and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, having been placed here in 1921.
HOLSTON RIVER BREWING COMPANY
hrbrewingco.com
Bristol’s first brewery with craft beers on tap, live music & entertainment and a full-service campground.
