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Mayor Rogero was an early supporter of marriage equality and was the only Mayor in Tennessee to sign the 2015 Amicus for the SCOTUS support of marriage equality. For over a decade now Knoxville has also hosted Mardi Growl, a downtown dog parade and festival that brings thousands of two and four legged attendees for a day of fun. In the first year of Madeline Rogero’s tenure as Mayor, Knoxville City Council unanimously passed a non-discrimination ordinance for all Knoxville city employees from discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, and ethnicity.


2018 Knox Pridefest attendees courtesy of Steve Soaringoak

So, I’d like to end with the thought that identity can be multi-layered and most of our identity is something we have built and worked on and created.

knoxville gay cruising

in the area of 1914 Andy Holt Ave, Knoxville you won't be by itself, it's probably the most crowded gay places inside the town due to the variety of spots they offer, a few of them are selling strange things that perhaps you have never tried just before.

  • University of Tennessee Neyland Stadium Gate 3

    [Vestal]
    If almost everything will go as arranged, like, as an example, usually the one at Neyland Drive, Knoxville, for those who have a date, it's always better to satisfy in a position where one can have some fun later on.

    We really are some of the friendliest people you will ever meet if you give us a chance.

    • LGBTQ & Pride

      LGBTQ & Pride

      Knoxville may best be described as a southern small town that feels like a neighborhood of a big city. Knoxville is the kind of city where it is a very common occurrence to go to a summer party and meet a dozen people visiting from outside of town that have been invited by the host, often from places hundreds or thousands of miles away.


      Historic Ayres Hall on the University of Tennessee Knoxville Campus

      Big Institutions = More Diversity: Knoxville is the proud home of the University of Tennessee’s flagship campus, bringing in a rotating population of around 35,000 students every semester.

      If you’re someone that loves being in the outdoors, then you will love Knoxville. In 2018 the estimated number of people to attend Knox Pridefest was over 35,000. Everything from special pride nights at restaurants to art shows and even underwear & fashion shows and bourbon tastings are all attended by sizable crowds and help sustain our Pride and keep the party going year-round.


      Pride Banner for the TVUUC courtesy of Taryn Ferro

      If you get the chance to see one of our Pride Parades one thing you will notice is that our churches support us and love us and welcome us with open arms.

      Let me explain:

      Let’s start with Knoxville’s current Mayor, Madeline Rogero, who has marched in our pride parades and has written statements of praise and support for the LGBTQ community for years. This map calculated a population of 95 Million people living within a day’s drive of Knoxville.  Don’t want to drive?  McGhee Tyson Airport offers over 20+ direct flights, including NYC, Chicago, DC, Fort Lauderdale, and more.


      Knoxville Gay Men’s Chorus – Broadway on Gay Street Concert courtesy of Steve Soaringoak

      Large LGBTQ Population: Historically, Queer people tend to gather and congregate in large metropolitan areas in order to feel safe and also to meet likeminded people and create a sense of community.

      If you are someone that feels safer and at home in a LGBTQ Club or Bar, then I recommend either going to the Club XYZ or The Edge.

      Y’all Means All – The Gay Scene in Knoxville

      “Y’all means ALL” courtesy of Taryn Ferro

      In 2012 the international LGBTQ Magazine The Advocate listed Knoxville as the “8th Gayest City in America” during its countdown of places to live or visit in the USA.

      While the criteria used to generate this list was viewed as pretty shaky (number of nude yoga studios & WNBA teams per capita?) and the general public both in and out of East Tennessee laughed off the declaration that Knoxville was a Queer Friendly place to live and visit, I am here to tell you that this mid-sized city is actually a pretty great place for LGBTQ+ people to visit and call home.

      The shop is decorated with loving words of support for all people in the world, regardless of religion, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. For some gay travelers, visiting Dollywood could be likened to a pilgrimage.

      Dollywood offers a variety of attractions, including roller coasters, live country and bluegrass music shows, traditional crafts, and Southern dining.

      On weekends in the warmer months you can find this area of the city flooded with large crowds of people coming in to visit our Farmer’s Market or attend a festival of some sort. Local services like Knox Area Transit (KAT) may offer seasonal or special routes.

      By Taxi/Rideshare: You can also take a taxi or rideshare service like Uber or Lyft from Knoxville to Dollywood.

      Rogero also sent a letter to President Obama in 2016 in support of the creation of the Stonewall National Monument in NYC and has had the Henley Street bridge lit up in rainbow colors for support of the LGBTQ community during both times of celebration, like marriage equality, and mourning during the immediate aftermath of the Pulse nightclub shooting.

      This Appalachian gem is about as geographically centered in the Eastern half of our country as you can get. Before you do anything, check that the person you're flirting with is of legal age.

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      If at any time you suffer some form of aggression, intimidation, theft or extortion, report it to the local authorities.

      You'll take I-40 East from Knoxville, then exit onto U.S. Highway 441 South toward Sevierville and Pigeon Forge. As a member of the LGBTQ community I really hope that I have managed to show you some reasons why Knoxville is really a beautiful little gay friendly city, just waiting for you to come and visit.

      The stereotypes of Southern people are true for at least one instance.

      The distance is about 35-40 miles, and the trip takes roughly 45 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic. Downtown Knoxville is perfect for exploring and having fun in without the fear of getting a double stare or a mean word spoken at you.

      While you are downtown make sure you go visit Yassin’s Falafel House, a local restaurant with a great story.

      Filled with 80+ restaurants and bars, 40+ shops and stores, a dozen hotels, multiple world class theaters and music venues, multiple parks and landmarks, and blocks of historic architecture; Downtown Knoxville literally has everything you would expect to find in a larger city, but just condensed into a walkable footprint.