While Tennessee might be doubling down on anti-LGBTQ+ policies, Nashville has a long history of supporting and celebrating LGBTQ+ folks. Here’s what to know about Pride Month in Nashville, and ways to celebrate.
🎉 Why We Celebrate in June
Pride as we know it started with the Stonewall Uprising on June 28, 1969, when police raided a gay bar in New York City’s Greenwich Village and patrons fought back. The ensuing fights outside the bar continued for six days and fundamentally changed the discourse of LGBTQ+ activism. Historians note that Stonewall was primarily a shift in how white cisgender people viewed queer rights and that it was actually a culmination of years of activist efforts.
On the uprising’s first anniversary, Pride solidarity marches were held in New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Chicago. More and more cities joined until the federal government recognized the month officially in 1999.
Nashville held its first Pride parade on June 25, 1988. According to Nashville Pride President Nicholas Gulick, “Pride celebrations have been going on in Nashville for well over 50 years. In fact, we know of some picnics that were held in Nashville as a direct result of the Stonewall riots.”
While only 125 people attended that first Pride parade, which began at Fannie Mae Dees Park and ended at Centennial Park, more than 125,000 people attended in 2024
🌈 How To Celebrate Pride in Nashville
- March with the City Cast Nashville team at the Nashville Pride Parade on June 27! The parade begins at 10 a.m., and we’ll be lining up at 9:15. Look for the yellow City Cast Nashville banner. Email us if you’d like to join! 💛
- The Nashville Pride Festival is after the parade, and runs 11 a.m.-8 p.m. at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park. Performers include Fancy Hagood, Molly Grace, Saaneah, Gay Ole Opry, and more. There’s also a kids’ section, and heaps of vendors.
- Celebrate all month by attending nearby Pride festivals in Franklin on June 6, Mt. Juliet on June 6 and 13, and Rutherford County on June 13.
- Say goodbye to queer-owned Margot Café & Bar on June 6.
- The Lipstick Lounge has events throughout the month.
- On June 6, STRUT takes over Rosemary & Beauty Queen’s backyard for a Pride kickoff.
- Nashville Roller Derby’s Heated Rivalry: PRIDE Doubleheader is on June 13.
- Grab some veg at the Gay Farmers Market in East Nashville on June 14 and 28.
- Get your laugh on with James Holiday at Zanies on June 17.
- Volunteer at the Fruity Farm on June 20 as they prepare for hosting the Sumner County Pride Festival in September.
- Take a dip at White Limozeen’s Femme Fatale Pride Pool Party on June 22.
- Watch a Nashville Sounds game on Pride Night, June 25.
- Support queer-owned businesses, like Novelette Booksellers, D’Andrews Bakery and Cafe, Tribe Nashville, N.B. Goods, Chapstick, and Wonder Gift & Garden.
