Nashville Pride Guide 2017 by Good Neighbor Festivals

NASHVILLE PRIDE GUIDE 2017

TABLE OF CONTENTS

WELCOME

WELCOME LETTER . . . . 06 PHIL COBUCCI

ENTERTAINMENT. . . . . . 23-28 T HE STATE OF PRIDE WORLDWIDE . . . . . . . . . 32

Drive Up To 50 Miles After A Puncture.

DR. KEVIN CALHOUN

M AINTAINING EQUALITY IN TENNESSEE. . . . . . . . 37 DAVID PLAZAS

PRIDE MAP. . . . . . . . . . . 44

(Yes, even from a razor-sharp arrow).

PRIDE CALENDAR. . . . . 46 PRIDE AWARDS. . . . . . . 48 HE NEED FOR T SAFE SCHOOLS IN SCARY TIMES . . . . . . 55 JUSTIN SWEATMAN-WEAVER

U SING MUSIC TO BUILD COMMUNITY. . . . . . . . . . 59 DON SCHLOSSER

ORWARD F TOGETHER. . . . . . . . . . . 64 PHIL COBUCCI

NASHVILLE PRIDE BOARD MEMBERS PHIL COBUCCI PRESIDENT

RYAN ELLIS-TERRY PRESIDENT - ELECT

presented by

COMING OUT: ITâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S THE HEALTHY THING TO DO! . . . . . . . . 68 JESSE M. EHRENFELD, MD

PROTECT YOURSELF WITH PREP. . . . . . . . . . . 72

MATTHEW GANN MARKETING DIRECTOR

JEREMY MERCER TREASURER

SEAN KELLY, MD

MATIA POWELL

THE STATE OF BUSINESS. . . . . . . . . 80

ALLAN GONCE

LISA HOWE

FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS CHAIR

PAST PRESIDENT

KERRIE TURNEY SECRETARY

JACK DAVIS

FESTIVAL DIRECTOR (EX-OFFICIO) BOARD MEMBERS

*Up to 50 miles at up to 50 mph. Repairability of DriveGuard tires depends on the tire damage, amount of pressure loss, and vehicle operating conditions. Contact a Bridgestone retailer for details.

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17-BSFS-0199 M6BT Nashville Pride Fest - DriveGuard Ad.indd 1

5/11/17 8:39 AM

HAL CATO ERIC BROWN BILLY HARDIN ZACH LEDBETTER LEWIS WALKER SHAUN ARROYO PAM KELNER PAULA FOSTER JENNIFER COWHERD NASHVILLE PRIDE GUIDE 2017 | 3

WELCOME

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WELCOME

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WELCOME

DEAR NASHVILLE PRIDE FESTIVAL ATTENDEES, It is my joy and that of the board of directors to welcome you to Pride Month in Nashville! This month is one that the volunteer board looks forward to every year after we dedicate thousands of hours to making sure that Pride is a time of celebration, remembrance, and acknowledgement of our aspiration for full equality. This year, as in years past, our theme is #ForwardTogether. It is meant to energize our community and those communities in which our desire for full equality is intersectional. Intersectionality is the inclusion of all people, no matter color, sexual orientation, gender identity or economic status or physical ability. Building a bridge to each of these communities is not an easy task. We will make mistakes, learn a lot, perhaps we will even get scolded or garner a small bit of praise for understanding. The way we will all move #ForwardTogether is with a little grace, peace and love. As we work tirelessly to move forward, we have to acknowledge that women, especially black queer / trans women endure the harshest of both violence and invisibility. Just since the beginning of this year, nine trans women have been violently murdered just because they were attempting to live their true identity. This month, we also remember the first anniversary of those lives that were lost in the tragic Pulse shooting. This unfortunate event gave insight into intersectionality, as it demonstrated how different groups of people were treated in its aftermath. LGBTQ people faced a direct attack on their identity and their community. Since many of those victims were also Latino, these feelings are even more complicated for LGBTQ people of color. Solidarity with all LGBT people is the only way that we can work to break down the systems of oppression that affects every disenfranchised or vulnerable group. Transphobia, misogyny, ableism, Islamophobia and racism should not exist within LGBTQ communities, but it does. We as a community should know better and we can do better. The team at Nashville Pride has worked hard this past year to engage our community and listen to feedback on festival operations. We are always open to your thoughts and concerns. Please take a moment to visit our Pride Booth located at the entrance to the festival to complete our survey so that we can better serve our community in the months and years to come. 6 | NASHVILLE PRIDE GUIDE 2017

We also need your financial support. The Nashville Pride Festival costs hundreds of thousands of dollars to put on every year. We are extremely thankful for our presenting sponsors from national brands to local small businesses for helping us celebrate Pride in Music City. But we also need support from people like you. From purchasing a Pride T-Shirt or a Pride Flag to joining our signature fundraising program, Friends with Benefits. Your donation helps ensure that Pride continues to be a success year over year.

THANKS TO ALL OF OUR 2017 SPONSORS

On a programmatic note, we are excited to share that we continue to build on the growth that Nashville Pride Festival has experienced over the past three years in our new home at Public Square Park. From new stages, video production, to continuing to expand our festival footprint, and securing top-rate talent, we want to continue to make Pride a celebration for all people who live in Middle Tennessee. On a final note, it is important to remember all of the great organizations that continue the important work of ensuring equality, and those that provide health services, legal guidance, business networking, personal support and other services to our community in order to allow us all to thrive. This is the one time each year that we all have the opportunity to come together and celebrate our lives, learn from each other and celebrate our impact on culture. I would be remiss to not thank the fantastic Mayor Barry, Metro Council, Metro Police Department and the team of people in Metro Government who have worked so diligently to ensure this celebration of LGBTQ culture is a success. Thank you also to Jack Davis and team of JD Events and Festivals, who work so diligently to ensure our festival operates at the best possible efficiency. Finally, thank you to the members of the Nashville Pride Board who have dedicated thousands of hours collectively to ensure that our annual celebration of LGBTQ culture is one that goes down in memory. HAPPY PRIDE NASHVILLE!

Phil Cobucci President Nashville Pride

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NASHVILLE PRIDE THANKS

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GIVE LOVE WINGS AND

LET IT FLY. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re proud to serve you for Nashville Pride and beyond, no matter who you love.

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T:7.875” S:7”

T:10.875”

B:11.125”

S:10.125”

av. analysis (12 fl. oz.): 96 cals, 3.2g carbs, <1g protein, 0g fat.

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•

R E S P O N S I B I L I T Y. O R G

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BRAND NEW East Nashville Apartments 615.823.4658 | LiveEastsideHeights.com

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THANK YOU TO OUR VIP AREA SPONSORS

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PRIDE WEEK

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PRIDE WEEK

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS Patrick Hamilton

Jack Davis

Wes Davis

Chris Hawk

Maria Salas

William Bullens

Paula Foster

Tommy Odle

Yvonne Mc Adoo

Jessica Hoke

Anne Carr

Ryan Ellis Brent Meredith

Matthew Gann

Mark Newcomb

Matthew Young

Mark Lopez

Wendy Howe

Zach Ledbetter

Patrick Boggs

Shannon Lashely

Chuck Dillingham

Andrew Brooks

Joshua Lippincott

Rob Sikorski

Russ Evers

Pamela Wheeler

Joyce Peacock

Jason Bates

Suzy Hatten

Sue Ross

G.L. Black

Jon Harper

Joe Brown

Reid Cifrino

Ryan Barry

Michael Brown

Carla Lewis

Gary Gaston

Robbie Vaughan

Jaime Combs

Jeremy Davis

Katherine Morgan

William Koerber

Lynn Cothren

Jeremy Simons

Mark Nixon

Joshua Upchurch

Christopher Ott

Justin Estes

Dayton Alford

Charles Green

Claudia Huskey

Amos Gott

Stuart Wallace

John Farris

Vincent Dreffs

William Gonce

Flint Clouse

Al Gregory

Craig Gonce

Keith Merrill

Hal Cato

Phil Cobucci

Lance DuPre

Jim Schmidt

Melvin Brown

Jae Hess

Joe Woolley

Lisa Howe

Mike King

Lewis Moore

Joey Leslie

Ted Crockett

Christopher Purcell

Pamela Kelner

Shaun Arroyi

Lee Nolen

Ennica Street

Jacques RenÃ© Sirois

Scott Kelly

Meredith Bazzell

Mina Johnson

Alex Fortney

Zachary Stark

Adam Holdren

Brian Anderson

Hunter Kelly

Dave Livingston

Kerrie Turney

Wade Jones

Matia Powell

Michael Viduski

Jeff Rymer

Eric Brown

Steven Adair

Zachary Kelley

Alan Whitley

William Woodson

Timothy Strobl

Keith Hinkle

Derrick Lachney

Steffi Silva

Ben Slinkard

McKenzie Sugg

Orlando Andrews

Mat Brooksher

Jason Beverly

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EQUALITY RESPECT PRIDE

Justin Sweatman-Weaver William Burchfield Kelly Mason Blair Anton Toby Sturgill

Proud Sponsor of Nashville Pride Festival As of 6/5/2017

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EVENTS

MAIN STAGE

NISSAN SUPPORTS EQUALITY ON EVERY ROAD YOU TRAVEL

SATURDAY

ENTERTAINMENT

THE 2017 NISSAN ROGUE

NissanUSA.com

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DRAG STAGE

EVENTS

MAIN STAGE

SUNDAY

DJ Lady B

Dynisty St. James

Eddie Broadway

Felecity Snowexclusive

Freak Nasty

Ivory Onyx

Jordan Allen

Karmyn Desire

Maddie Moiselle

Michael Reign Coscia

Monroe Fitzgerald

Necole Luv Dupree

ENTERTAINMENT

QTip Channel

Tryah Hunter

Trey Alize

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Seduction Dickerson

Dora Saunders

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EVENTS

A DE

. ST

THE KIDSZONE WILL BE OPEN 11-4 ON SATURDAY AND 12-4 ON SUNDAY

Y GA

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VE TA N

. ST

• Face painting and airbrush tattoos

. ST

(SAT AND SUN – ALL DAY)

I UN

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E AV D

D EA

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•P ride Arts and Crafts with Turnip Green Creative Reuse

3R D E AV N

(SAT AND SUN – ALL DAY)

. ST

1S VE TA

R’ EY

(SAT AND SUN – ALL DAY)

. ST

•M r. Bond and the Science Guys – hands on science experiments

E AV

LL SA

E AV

R’

E AV

. ST CO

QUEUE BEGINS AT 9AM AT 2ND AND UNION IN DOWNTOWN NASHVILLE 26 | NASHVILLE PRIDE GUIDE 2017

(SAT AND SUN – ALL DAY)

• Journeys Corn Hole

LL SA

• Carnival Games with prizes

E AV

. ST

N IO

E MM

. ST

(12-2 SAT AND SUN)

•C ountry Music Hall of Fame Musical Petting Zoo (SUNDAY 12-4 PM)

•V isits with the Enchanted Princess, Drag Queen Story Telling and the Mobile Book Truck with Parnassus Books and much more. VISIT THE KIDSZONE FOR MORE INFORMATION! NASHVILLE PRIDE GUIDE 2017 | 27

GIVE LOVE WINGS AND

EVENTS

LET IT FLY. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re proud to serve you for Nashville Pride and beyond, no matter who you love.

THANKS TO OASIS CENTER FOR HELPING PROGRAM OUR YOUTH PAVILION DURING THE NASHVILLE PRIDE FESTIVAL. 28 | NASHVILLE PRIDE GUIDE 2017

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At Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® we believe the key to our success is welcoming everyone in our company, our country stores, our restaurants, and our communities.

www.crackerbarrel.com/diversity

FIRST TENNESSEE a stronger community Alliance & Allies Employee Resource Group of First Tennessee proudly supports Nashville PRIDE and others like it that make our community a better place to live and work.

STOP BY OR VISIT US AT FTB.COM

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PERSPECTIVES

THE STATE OF PRIDE WORLDWIDE Dr. Kevin Calhoun

WELCOME We are thrilled to have the opportunity to welcome you to the Nashville Pride Festival! My name is Kevin Calhoun and I am the Regional Director for Prides of the Southeast – the largest region within InterPride. InterPride is the most well-known and prolific Pride organization in the world and it is with great joy that we attend the 2017 Nashville Pride Festival.

WHO WE ARE As we continue our work to further the work of Pride organizations around the globe, we realize that there are challenges for individuals with diverse sexual and gender identities to express themselves. We work tirelessly with Pride organizations to ensure that above all else the safety and security of individuals who choose to attend Pride festivals are observed. We have seen in recent months attacks on our brothers and sisters by governments around the globe - from concentration camps to terrorist threats and attacks InterPride has stood worked to not only document but protest these acts of intimidation and violence. To date, InterPride’s Pride Radar report has documented 971 Pride organizations around the world especially those where governmental policies and procedures have prevented them from celebrating who they are. Our goal is to “shine a light” on these organizations to aid in their ongoing fight for equality.

WHAT CAN YOU DO? While the work we do is important, we cannot do it without you. You have made an important first step in solidarity with the Pride movement by attending today’s event and we ask that in addition you tell others about your experience as we want this Pride festival to grow and flourish. Moreover, you can help in our fight for equality by supporting the other events Nashville Pride hosts – small events such as “dine-outs” and community meetings. We encourage your participation and want to hear from you. Thank you again for attending and on behalf of InterPride, again, welcome to Nashville! InterPride is the international organization that ties Pride together globally. Members of our organization are dedicated volunteers who organize and work to put on Pride events all over the world. InterPride’s Vision is a world where there is full cultural, social and legal equality for all. InterPride’s Mission is Empowering Pride Organizations Worldwide. 32 | NASHVILLE PRIDE GUIDE 2017

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MAINTAINING EQUALITY IN TENNESSEE WILL BE A CONTINUOUS STRUGGLE

PERSPECTIVES

By David Plazas

The civil rights of citizens came under attack again during the 2017 Tennessee General Assembly. The damage proved minimal – for now – but it is an indicator of what will likely be a long, simmering campaign to strip away the rights and dignity of people who happen to be gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer or otherwise nonconforming. The hope is that the pressure from more and more fellow Tennesseans of all sexual orientations and gender identities will continue to keep legislators focused on responsible governance and away from bigoted, discriminatory legislation. The 2015 Obergefell vs. Hodges Supreme Court decision, which affirmed the rights of same-sex couples to marry, created angst over the last two years among several lawmakers who sought to define what “natural” marriage is, restrict bathroom access based on one’s birth certificate, and give words in law their “natural and ordinary meaning.” Only the latter managed to make it through the legislature and become law in 2017, and while it was watered down considerably, the original intent was to erase the rights of LGBTQ people by bending the law to strip them of their parental rights, among other things. Two lesbian couples have challenged the law in court. In 2016 legislators passed a discriminatory law that would allow counselors and therapists to reject clients based on “sincerely held principles,” which caused three organizations to cancel meetings or conventions in Nashville. An attempt to amend the law to replace those three words with “religious beliefs” failed this past year.

MYL PACK, MPACK PHOTOGRAPHY

Even though lawmakers passed and Gov. Bill Haslam signed only two anti-LGBTQ laws over the last couple of years, expect more attempts in the future. The natural marriage and bathroom bills are not dead, but only deferred until 2018, and it will take extra vigilance and advocacy to keep them from passing.

Visit nashvillelgbtchamber.org to find local LGBT-friendly businesses. 36 | NASHVILLE PRIDE GUIDE 2017

I was present at the news conference in February when the sponsors of those bills, Sen. Mae Beavers and Rep. Mark Pody, both Republicans of Wilson County, quickly gave up efforts to explain their legislation in the face

David Plazas is the deputy director of opinion and engagement for the USA TODAY NETWORK – Tennessee. He and his husband Darren reside in the Salemtown neighborhood of Nashville.

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PERSPECTIVES

of protests, left the room and were chased to their offices. As a journalist, I would have liked to have heard them out. As a citizen I can understand advocates’ rationale that these bills should never even have been under consideration. I tried to reach out to Pody and Beavers, but they would not respond, and the senator blocked me (and many others) on Twitter. The rationale behind much of this legislation is based upon arguments of religion and religious freedom. Yet, in Tennessee, where broad protections of civil liberties are enshrined in the state Constitution, this kind of legislation is overreach and likely unconstitutional. Take Article I, Section 3: “That all men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own conscience; that no man can of right be compelled to attend, erect, or support any place of worship, or to maintain any minister against his consent; that no human authority can, in any case whatever, control or interfere with the rights of conscience; and that no preference shall ever be given, by law, to any religious establishment or mode of worship.” The irony with the passage of the “natural and ordinary meaning” law, also known as the LGBT Erasure Act, is that this right could be interpreted as only applying to men and not women or children. In any event, Pody has been open about the fact that he is on a divine crusade to fight against “wicked” same-sex marriage.

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A bright spot was the coming together of hundreds of businesses, nonprofit organizations and chambers of commerce across the state under the banner of Tennessee Thrives to urge lawmakers not to pass laws that discriminated against anyone as an economic development imperative. They range from Jack Daniels to CMT and from the Nashville LGBT Chamber of Commerce to my own employer, the publications of the USAT TODAY NETWORK – Tennessee. This advocacy will hopefully keep persuading lawmakers, both Republican and Democrat, to reject future divisive, discriminatory and detrimental pieces of legislation that will hurt Tennessee’s reputation as a welcoming, innovative and competitive state. In the past racial segregationists humiliated marginalized groups, particularly African Americans, by forcing them to use separate bathrooms and using the law to limit their opportunities, marginalize them in the eyes of greater society and attack their dignity. After the Obergefell decision, Congressman John Lewis of Georgia, who studied at Fisk University and American Baptist College and fought for civil rights in Nashville and elsewhere, delivered these powerful words: “As a nation, we cannot say we are committed to equality, if we do not mandate equality for every citizen,” he said. “You cannot have equality for some in America and not equality for all.” Maintaining equality will be a continuous struggle. Lewis’ words provide encouragement to never give up the fight.

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understanding the many diverse ways of defining home

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PRIDE MAP

UNION ST EQUALITY WALK START 10 AM JUNE 24

UNION ST

BIKE CHECK

GATE 3 3RD AVE N

GATE 2

SKY LOUNGE

DEADRICK ST DEADRICK ST

WXNA STAGE

GATE 6

GATE 4

GATE 1

MAIN BAR

EMT

VOLUNTEER AREA

MAIN STAGE ARTIST TENT

VIP AREA FWB LOUNGE

PUBLIC SQUARE GARAGE

COURTHOUSE

ENTRANCE TO METRO NASHVILLE COURTHOUSE GARAGE

KIDS & FAMILY AREA

3RD AVE N

YOUTH AREA

MERCH

CHARLOTTE AVE

DRAG STAGE

CHARLOTTE AVE

GATE 5

RIDESHARE DROP OFF 44 | NASHVILLE PRIDE GUIDE 2017

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PRIDE CALENDAR

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PRIDE CALENDAR

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PRIDE WEEK

2017 PRIDE AWARD WINNERS

PRIDE WEEK

Mark Manasco Community Service Award 

Nashville Pride Ally Award 

Linda Welch Kathy Halbrook

Maneet Chauhuan

Mark Middleton/ Bianca Page Pride Volunteer Award 

Nashville Pride Philanthropic Business Award  Nashville Pride Rising Star Award 

Joey Leslie

Ron Sanford

Shawn Reilly

Vickie Davis

2017 TRAILBLAZER AWARD: LAVENDER COUNTRY By Joseph Brant for Out & About Nashville

It was 43 years ago, in 1973, when the Lavender Country album was released and became the first ever openly gay country record. The band, located in Seattle at the time, targeted a mostly LGBT audience with the recordings because, according to lead band member Patrick Haggerty (link is external), “the reaction of 98% of America who heard about Lavender Country who weren’t gay or very progressive minded was that it was outlandish and shocking and unacceptable.” The album disappeared seemingly forever until 2014 when a North Carolina record label reissued it. The 10 songs on the album reflect the political and social movement at the time, LGBT issues that stretched far beyond the scope of Nashville’s country music establish48 | NASHVILLE PRIDE GUIDE 2017

ment. The record reflects Haggerty’s experiences: his upbringing on a tenant dairy farm in rural Washington, on the Canadian border; his dismissal from the Peace Corps on the spurious grounds of his sexuality; and his righteous struggles as an outraged young gay man navigating the Pacific Northwest in the immediate aftermath of Stonewall. Lavender Country has since been archived at the Country Music Hall of Fame. You can hear the album in its entirety (link is external) on SoundCloud. Later this month, Lavender Country will receive the Pathfinder Award from Nashville Pride. And on Sunday June 25, The Basement East will host an all LGBT show (link is external) featuring Little Bandit, Becca Mancari and headliner Lavender Country.

Listen now to Lavender Country at

bit.ly/pridetrailblazer Lavender Country over the years 

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PRIDE WEEK

NASHVILLE PRIDE THANKS OUR 2017 VENDORS 107.5 The River

Care Center

2 Girls N a Hot Dog

Cooper for Congress

312 Pizza Company

Cousins Maine Lobster

6th Man Movers

Just Us, Oasis Youth Program

Nashville Pride INFO/MERCH

Tennessee Equality Project Foundation

KCdesignZ LLC

Nashville Rollergirls

Lambda AA

Neighborhood Health

Tennessee Foundation Systems

Adia Candle Co.

Covenant of the Cross

Lambda Car Club International

AIG

Cracker Barrel

Albers Designs LLC

Cummins

LeafFilter North of Tennessee, LLC

One Man One Garage

Alive Hospice

Davidson County Democratic Party

LGBT Chamber

Out and About

Lightning 100

OutCentral

Dawg Daze

Lions Den

Outer Peace

DBV Jewelry

Local Honey/ Brave Barbershop

Parnassus Bookmobile

Lovebound

Peace Corps

Lyft

Pet Community Center

Alleyne Studios American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee American Federation of Government Employees Local 1844 Americans United for Separation of Church and State

DCXV Delta Do 615 Dollar General EarthWise Pet Nashville-SoBro

Argosy University

East End United Methodist Church

Asurion

Eastside Heights

Baker Donelson

ECOHANDMADE

Banh Mi & Roll Factory

Edley’s Bar-B-Que

Barefoot

Equality Travel

McKesson Metro Animal Care and Control Metro Beautification & Environment Commission Metro-Public Health Department Metropolitan Nashville Police Department

Oliver’s Icebox

Tennessee Glass Tennessee Performing Arts Center Tennessee Vals The Change Project The Coffee Spot The East Nashvillian The Fountain of Juice The Grilled Cheeserie The Modern Rogue

PFLAG Nashville

The Morgan Factory

Planned Parenthood of Middle and East TN

The Office of LGBTI Life

Pride Socks Program for LGBTI Health/Office of Diveristy Affairs Radical Arts

The Porch/Versify The Temple Congregation Ohabai Sholom Thistle Farms Thrive Stores, LLC

First Tennessee Bank

Miranda’s Adult Store

Renewal by Andersen

Flora and aurora cosmetics

MTSU Lambda Association

Ron Stanford Production

US Bank

FOCUS

Music City Co

Rush Leather

Ben Griffith Artist

GLSEN

Music City Psychic

Salvage

VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System

Benchmark Physical Therapy

Hardwear Designs

Nashville Animal Advocacy

Sam’s Club

Vanderbilt

Scott Tift for Judge

Vanderbilt Athletics

Seal Smart

Vanderbilt HIV Vaccine Program

Bart Durham Injury Law Belmont United Methodist Church

Blitzy Bands Bottle Cap and Salvaged Art by Kristie Boutique Burger Bar Bradley’s Creamery Bridgestone Brookmeade Congregational Church U.C.C

HealthStream Inc HeArt of Nashville Holy Trinity Community Church Homecraft Gutter Protection Honeybee Tennessee Human Rights Campaign Hustler Hollywood

Bungalow Potter

Hyatt Place

Cement6

iJerkyGuy

Centerstone

Jackie Cheuvront Art

Charleston Mix Comcast Comprehensive

Nashville Black Pride Nashville Cares

Vanderbilt Human Resources

Nashville Humane Association

St. Ann’s Episcopal Church

Vanderbilt University Human Resources

Nashville in Harmony

State Farm

Nashville Junior Roller Girls

Steaming Goat

Village Real Estate Services

Nashville National Organization for Women and Davidson County Democratic Women Nashville Noted Photography

JSWStudio DBA J White Henna

Nashville Peace and Justice Center

Steph Barnes Wearables Steven Reynolds for US Congress SunTrust T-Mobile Talisman Leather

Baker Donelson is a proud supporter of Nashville Pride and its work to make our city more harmonious.

US. Healthworks

Southern Jerky Co.

Nashville Grizzlies Rugby Football Club

Jive

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Seemi’s Art

Tribe/Play

Baker Donelson and Nashville Pride: Making Great Music Together

www.bakerdonelson.com THIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT. Ben Adams is Chairman and CEO of Baker Donelson and is located in our Memphis office, 165 Madison Avenue, Suite 2000, Memphis, TN 38103. Phone 901.526.2000. ©2015 Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC

West End United Methodist Church Wyndham Vacation Resorts, Inc. YMCA of Middle Tennessee YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee

Tame the Beast

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THE SOUTHâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S FAVORITE ALL-NATURAL MIXER Available for purchase at major retailers throughout the Southeast. Find the location near you by visiting CharlestonMix.com

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PERSPECTIVES

THE NEED FOR SAFE SCHOOLS IN SCARY TIMES Justin Sweatman-Weaver

I think we can all agree that it’s been a rough year. After eight years of forward movement and numerous victories for equality, the tides shifted and all that progress suddenly became vulnerable. For LGBTQ young people the impact was nearly immediate—a sharp rise in reports of verbal harassment and physical intimidation erupted in schools across the country and in Tennessee, perpetuated by newly emboldened bullies. Soon, the actions of a newly confirmed Secretary of Education and a desperately uncertain Supreme Court led to mass confusion that resulted in transgender students being told that “new laws” prevented them from using the bathrooms or locker rooms that align with their gender identity—a blatant falsehood. Justin SweatmanWeaver is Board Chair for GLSEN Tennessee ensuring safe and inclusive schools for all students. Contact GLSEN Tennessee at Tennessee@ chapters.glsen. org for more information.

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The protections that exist for LGBTQ students at the federal level still stand. But, we are going to need to work extra hard to make sure that schools, districts, and our state legislators hear our call and know that we will not allow the elimination of federal guidance to mean the elimination of student rights. As advocates, allies, and educators for all children in Tennessee, we share a common purpose to provide support to each and every child in our state. We share a commitment to create environments in our Tennessee schools where all students can thrive and successfully prepare for an uncertain future. NASHVILLE PRIDE GUIDE 2017 | 55

PERSPECTIVES

How can we do this? GLSEN relies on fore core strategies to empower students and educators to create safe schools: 1) H elping establish and sustain Gay-Straight Alliances and other student-led clubs in schools who can organize days of action, compassionate campaigns, and advocate for positive changes in schools. 2) E mpmwering educators with professional development to help them address homophobia and transphobia at school. 3) I nclusive resources and curriculum that positively reflects LGBTQ identities and their contributions to society and connects young people to local resources. 4) E numerated anti-bullying and harassment policies and other institutional practices that embrace diversity in identity, expression, and family structure.

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One of GLSEN’s tremendous successes has been that we have never strayed from our lane. We have always worked on K-12 education; our values are the bedrock of respect and inclusion. Our job is to ensure that every school welcomes every youth through their doors, regardless of how they may identify – and to ensure that LGBTQ youth, in particular, take their place within our communities with PRIDE!

Respect for all is not a partisan value, rather a foundation of functioning institutions, good education, and something that we will always fight for. We must be the best partner that we can be right now. This is not time for us to be in competition with others. As people in the movement we must resolve to help each other amplify our values, our resources, and our voices. Social change has never and will never be a sprinting sport. It’s about the long-term impact and the process of achieving it. Regardless of how challenging the times and how exhausting it is to make the uphill climb, we can always find inspiration in the passion, the kindness, bad-assery, and Pride of our student advocates.

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COMMUNITY

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By a stroke of sheer luck I was there on the pavement in front of the Supreme Court on June 26, 2015, standing with the few hundred people who were pressed together in the morning summer sun. I had no idea what was about to happen. I half expected someone wearing a black gown and a powdered wig to emerge from the columned portico and deliver a pronouncement. But that’s not how they do it. The assembled crowd first learned about the Court’s ruling through social media, and a collective shout erupted from those who were monitoring their devices. I turned to a stranger next to me and asked, “What just happened?” He was scrolling through a blog and reading as fast as he could. “We won,” he said, “we won!” As I walked back to the Metro station, I was keenly aware that my world had just shifted. My marriage was suddenly legal in all fifty states. But before the euphoria lifted, the backlash had already begun, and there were painful reminders that even though the Supreme Court ruled in favor of LGBT justice, the everyday experience for many lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people is still frighteningly antigay. Recent setbacks have made it even more apparent that legislation alone will not shift the antigay culture. What is it going to take to change hearts and minds?

Margaret Mead, the American cultural anthropologist said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed people can change the world; indeed it is the only thing that ever has.” Nashville in Harmony was begun 14 years ago intentionally to bridge the gap between the gay and straight communities, and early on we adopted as our mission to use music to build community and create social change. For Nashville in Harmony, community is our product, cultural change is our goal, and music in our strategy. We build community by intentionally modeling an inclusive community: all ages, all races, all sexual orientations, and all gender identities singing together for a common purpose. We build community by collaborating with community partners like TEP, and Just Us, and Brothers and Sisters United, and the Human Rights Campaign, and Nashville Pride.

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COMMUNITY

And then we create social change by standing shoulder to shoulder and raising our voices for justice and equality and unity and diversity. We choose to sing our message, because when we sing, that message is enhanced and heightened by the emotion and beauty of the music. When we sing, our message is married to melody, and melodies, as we know, have a way of replaying themselves in our minds unconsciously reinforcing our message. When we sing, our message finds a receptive ear, because people who would never march in a parade or attend a rally, will come to hear friends, or coworkers, or family members sing, and to hear their stories. One of our singers, Barry, shared his story with me. He says, “Although my parents loved me dearly, they never accepted my sexuality, and were convinced I was living immorally, even blaming my positive HIV status on that immorality. I bravely kept inviting them to our concerts. They surprised me and came to our first Ryman Auditorium show. They were moved by our music and our message. A couple of weeks later, at our Christmas dinner, my dad announced to my family that my parents loved and accepted all of us as we are.” Marcus Saitschenko, a member of the Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus said, “I think it’s important for people to know that the gay choral movement wasn’t started so we could sing ‘I Am What I Am’ in four-part harmony. Our friends were dying. We had no political power. They all wanted us dead. We sang to give strength to our friends, to demand medicine, research, any kind of humanitarian aid. We changed the world with our voices.” If you want to sing, join a chorus. If you want to change the world, join Nashville in Harmony. 60 | NASHVILLE PRIDE GUIDE 2017

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COMMUNITY

FORWARD TOGETHER By Phil Cobucci

What does #ForwardTogether mean? Just two short years ago, thousands of us arrived at Public Square Park just mere hours after the Supreme Court ruling that granted the LGBTQ community full marriage equality under federal law. This was an event that many of us in our community thought we’d never see. Without a doubt, June 26, 2015, is a day that many of us will never forget. Similarly, June 28, 1969, is a date that we must continue to remember and celebrate as a day that ignited our passions and propelled us to move #ForwardTogether. As we look back at the 48 years of the common day LGBTQ movement, we remember the courageous people who have made incredible contributions to our movement. This courage exhibited by the people that we celebrate as heroes today because they stood together in what seemed like intolerable circumstances. The courage of the people who led our movement those many years ago is the same courage that we need to have today as we navigate each event that impacts our lives today. As we move forward together, one thing must remain constant, the need to be unapologetically proud. During this journey, we might have setbacks, we might fail, but we must come together and unify as one voice, help each other, encourage each other and lift each other up -- because that is what we are supposed to do as a community. 64 | NASHVILLE PRIDE GUIDE 2017

We will only emerge stronger as a community when we come together just like in times when we were battling an unseen and unknown virus or when forces of hate attempt to rob us of equal dignity. A community that comes together is a community that will continue to thrive and see exciting changes and emerge stronger. There is no denying that our community has faced a massive uphill climb as we faced the scourge of the HIV and AIDS crisis. Particularly in the fight against HIV and AIDS, which is inextricably tied to the Pride movement, the LGBT community’s compassionate and measured response has achieved extraordinary results. 30 years ago, AIDS transmissions were around 130,000 in just one year. In the 1980s, an HIV diagnosis was in many minds a death sentence. Today, it isn’t. Even though there are solutions to allow members of our communities to live, to thrive and survive, and medicines to prevent the virus, stigma can still be a death sentence. Stigma leads to marginalization in a myriad of different ways from harassment and abuse, discrimination, to violence and poverty, among others. While we make every effort to move #ForwardTogether, we must identify that our movement is intersectional. As we have seen in the last few months, there have been demonstrations and protests that press the leaders of our government for truth and equality for all people. All people includes women, people of different faiths, trans and

gender non-conforming students, immigrants, refugees, those in communities of color, our latinx communities and those who are impoverished or homeless. To that end, while the movement for LGBTQ Pride and Equality is intersectional, Pride itself is the connective glue between each of the initiatives that work towards achieving full acceptance and equality. While we have achieved some measure of success in our goal for full equality for all humans, we still have much further to go. We have a collective obligation to move onward until all people are able to enjoy the benefits of our labor. As we chart a path forward, we must stop accepting mere tolerance or anything that is half-hearted. We are in a time where we must be intolerant to all forms of homophobia, transphobia, biphobia and any bigotry of LGBTQ people. We must identify that anything less than full acceptance and full civil rights is indeed bias, whether it is explicit or implicit. We must call it out -even if it makes us uncomfortable. Challenging our friends, coworkers, families and others we know is the only way that we can initiate change -- if we are to get past just tolerance. As we chart the course for equality for our entire community, we must also acknowledge members of our trans community who have been particularly bombarded with hateful legislation this year. Our brothers and sisters have also been targeted with violence, and as of

June 1, 2017, we have seen 11 murders of trans people nationally. While the details of these cases differ, it is clear that deadly violence disproportionately affects transgender women of color, and that the intersections of racism, sexism, homophobia and transphobia conspire to deprive them of employment, housing, healthcare and other necessities, barriers that make them vulnerable. Lest we forget, Mesha Caldwell, Jamie Lee Wounded Arrow, JoJo Striker, Tiara Richmond, Chyna Doll Dupree, Ciara McElveen, Jaquarrius Holland, Alphonza Watson, Chay Reed, Kenneth Bostick and Sherrell Faulkner. In light of the current tone in our federal government, we must stand up and not allow someone who disagrees with our lives to allow us to be erased. If the success of the Pride movement has taught us anything, it’s that the only way to stop the hate, to stop the killing and the dying is with love, compassion, and respect. Compassion makes our community stronger and healthier. So with the overwhelming desire to have full equality for all, it is time to make no apologies for who we are or what we believe. No matter what anyone may say or what negative forces we need to withstand against, we should not give in or give up. It is time for us to move #ForwardTogether with one unified voice for full equality for every member of our LGBTQ community.

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COMMUNITY

NASHVILLE PRIDE THANKS OUR MEDIA SPONSORS

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HEALTH

COMING OUT: IT’S THE HEALTHY THING TO DO! Jesse M. Ehrenfeld, MD, MPH Director, Vanderbilt Program for LGBTI Health

As an LGBTQ person – you know that you’re unique. But what you might not realize is that you also have unique health care needs. In fact, as an LGBTQ person, your doctor can only provide you with the most appropriate preventive screenings and care if you come out to them. If your doctor doesn’t already know that you are LGBTQ, you really ought to have a discussion at your next visit in order to make sure that you are getting the right health care you need and deserve to stay healthy. Coming out to your healthcare provider could be one of the most important things you ever do!

STAYING HEALTHY AS AN LGBTQ PERSON National recommendations for the routine preventive screenings and vaccinations that you need, as an LGBTQ per-

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son, are different from those who are not LGBT. For example, gay and bisexual men should have regular test for HIV, screening for anal papilloma, and those under 27 should get the HPV vaccine in addition to the hepatitis vaccine (which all gay men should get). Lesbians and bisexual women are at increased risk for certain types of gynecological cancers, but many do not realize they should have a yearly gynecological exam, even if they are not having sex with men. These exams can help diagnose many forms of gynecologic cancers in their early stages so all women who have sex with women should be screened for gynecological cancers every year. Transgender people may have specialized medical needs, including management of cross-gender hormones. While hormone therapy is often used to make a transgender person more masculine or feminine, the use of hormones does have some risks. Testosterone can damage the liver, especially if taken in high doses or by mouth. Estrogen can increase blood pressure, blood glucose (sugar), and blood clotting. Anti-androgens, such as spironolactone, can lower blood pressure, disturb electrolytes, and dehydrate the body. Hormone use should always be supervised by a doctor.

COME OUT, COME OUT, WHEREVER YOU ARE

“I have been taking these hormones to transition my gender”

Coming out to your doctor doesn’t need to be a production. Just be honest, be open, and be matter of fact about who you are. Increasingly, health care facilities are asking sexual orientation and gender identity questions during new patient registration. But not all do, so be prepared to provide this key detail directly to the person taking care of you. If your sexuality does not come up naturally during your next visit, take ownership of the conversation and start by saying, “Doctor, I need to tell you something.”

“Would you mind referring to me as ‘he’ (or ‘she’)”

If your doctor doesn’t know about you are LGBTQ, here are a few suggestions to start a conversation: “I have some questions for you about being LGBTQ and my health”

HEALTH

Key Questions to Considering Asking Your Doctor: 1) W hat screening tests or other services do you recommend I get as an LGBTQ person? 2) W hat sexually transmitted infections should I be concerned about? 3) S hould I be taking PrEP (Pre-exposure Prophylaxis) to reduce my risk of HIV? 4) D o I need to be screened for HPV (Human Papilloma Virus)?

“This is my partner”

5) H ow can I fill out an advanced directive or healthcare power of attorney for my partner and me?

“There is a conversation I need to have with you”

6) S hould I be worried about my drinking or drug use?

“I am interested in getting tested for HIV”

7) Can you help me quit smoking?

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Vanderbilt Program for LGBTI Health Our Vanderbilt Program for LGBTI Health connects patients with specially trained LGBTI providers and helps ensure outstanding medical care in an atmosphere of compassion and respect.

ANODE TO SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT TODAY

Visit NashvilleLGBTHealth.com Or call (615) 936-3879

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HEALTH

PROTECT YOURSELF WITH PREP Sean Kelly, MD Vanderbilt Division of Infectious Diseases

Never before have we had a more effective tool in reducing HIV risk than pre-exposure prophylaxis (“PrEP”). PrEP is a daily medication for those who are at high risk of acquiring HIV. Taken as directed, it can reduce the risk of HIV by over 90%1. Surprisingly, this medication is not particularly new; it was approved in 2012, but its use was somewhat slow to catch on, particularly in the South. The South, however, is the US region with the most new HIV infections2. Throughout the US, the risk for HIV remains alarmingly high for certain groups. White men who have sex with men (MSM) have a lifetime risk of HIV infection of one in eleven, and black MSM have a lifetime HIV risk of one in two3! PrEP is our best tool to keep people at such high risk uninfected, and we have to use it.

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Right now there is one medication, Truvada®, that has been approved to be used as PrEP. Truvada® is a single pill that contains two of the medications commonly used to treat HIV (emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate). For maximal efficacy, Truvada® must be taken daily. As with any medication, there are potential adverse effects. The common ones are nausea and diarrhea, which usually resolve after a week or so on the medication. Tenofovir disproxil fumarate may also lead to long-term (usually reversible) loss of kidney function and bone mineralization, so it is important to obtain regular blood tests with your doctor. Taking Truvada® requires a doctor visit every three months to ensure you are tolerating it, taking it correctly, and remain HIV-negative. It does not protect against other sexually transmitted infections, so condom use would still be needed. If you are in a relationship with an HIV-infected partner, or if you are MSM and have sex with partners with an unknown HIV status and would like to reduce your risk of HIV, discuss PrEP with your doctor. Several PrEP providers at Vanderbilt are also available. An appointment can be made by calling 615-875-5111. Stay safe!

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B R A N D I N G & I D E N T I T Y • P R I N T L AY O U T A N D D E S I G N • A R T D I R E C T I O N • C U S T O M D I E S H A N DMB AD RA PH I NUGT • AP N AC AG R EA NG D IN GI C&S I•DW E ENBT IDTEYS I G • NP R• I ANDTV EL RATYI S O DK D E ISNI G G N• L A Y O U T • P O S T E R S W E B BAARNTN EDRI SR E• C PR D MDAITESS • • C H OA NN S UDLM T IAND GE• G AN O IT C S SO F O T H E R T H I N G S T II NOTN D •E SCI G UN S T• OAM RD A PL H O N L I N E AT A L E X M A K E S T H I N G S .C O • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

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COMMUNITY

In April 2016, the Nashville LGBT Chamber started working on establishing a business coalition to pledge its support of legislation that creates and promotes diversity and inclusion. Today, that business coalition is known as Tennessee Thrives. Almost 400 businesses have signed the Tennessee Thrives pledge, and over 60 of those are Nashville LGBT Chamber members. While Tennessee Thrives has its flaws, the major accomplishment of the coalition is the pledge is signed by and the website includes s of hundreds of companies who will not publicly speak out against any individual piece of legislation.

THE STATE OF BUSINESS

It is up to lobbyists, advocates, organizations, and individuals to use Tennessee Thrives as a tool when communicating with legislators. The LGBT Chamber of Commerce made reference to Tennessee Thrives in every letter, e-mail, and phone call we sent to lawmakers. We encourage others to do the same.

Lisa Howe

The Nashville LGBT Chamber uses Pride month as a time to celebrate and reflect, but we also take inventory of how much more we must do to achieve equality for the LGBT community. For the Chamber, we consider full equality to include access to economic opportunities. This includes LGBT business owners having equal access to contracts, equal opportunity employment for all lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, and access to promotions and leadership positions for LGBT talent.

About the Chamber: Now in its 19th year and having over 300 members, the Nashville LGBT Chamber of Commerce advances common business interests, economic growth and equality in the workplace for its LGBT members, businesses, and allies by providing networking, educational and community building opportunities. About the Foundation: The Nashville LGBT Chamber Foundation educates, inspires, and empowers LGBT business owners and professionals.

For years now, our country has relied on the business community to move the needle forward on LGBT equality issues. Nationally, the business community was a strong proponent of marriage equality. Seeing approximately 300 companies sign the amicus brief supporting Obergefell in the Supreme Court reminded many advocates of the strength of a business coalition. In 2015 and 2016, we saw business coalitions work successfully in Texas and Georgia, helping both states avoid passing anti-LGBT legislation into law.

The Nashville LGBT Chamber has much to celebrate this Pride month. We just surpassed 300 members. We just helped certify our 17th LGBT-owned business enterprise in Tennessee. Last August, we won the Rising Star Award from the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. We signed a partnership with the Nashville Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. The LGBT Chamber has been instrumental in helping our local large employers move the needle forward for LGBT equality. The Chamber often serves as the connector when the community sees companies implement LGBT inclusive policies, participate with LGBT non-profit organizations and events, and raise money for LGBT organizations and events. Our CEO, Lisa Howe, believes, “Growth is part of our mission. As our members grow, the potential for the LGBT community grows exponentially.” She adds, “We have seen our members collaborate to raise money for Just Us. We have seen our members compete to see who can get the most representatives to participate in the Equality Walk. When an LGBT small business owner creates jobs, they create more opportunities for LGBT people and their families. When we increase the number of LGBT professionals and LGBT business owners, we increase the number of people giving back to the LGBT community.”

In February 2012, Lisa Howe was hired as the first full-time Executive Director of the Nashville LGBT Chamber of Commerce. Five years later the Board of Directors changed her title to CEO, and Ms. Howe hired the second full-time employee of the LGBT Chamber.

As the LGBT Chamber celebrates Pride month, we look forward to taking on the challenge of making sure there is LGBT inclusion in Nashville’s thriving economy. In other words, we want to be able to take PRIDE in our economy. The LGBT community still faces many obstacles in Tennessee. The LGBT Chamber is committed to establishing the partnerships, data, and economic growth that will help the LGBT community move closer to achieving equality. Happy Pride, Nashville!

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HOTMESS

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COMMUNITY

NASHVILLE PRIDE THANKS OUR LGBT COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS

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