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Occurring every June, Knox Pridefest is a free event held downtown that features a massive parade on Gay Street followed by a day of performances and entertainment at one of our nearby parks. Even though the overall LGBTQ community is large for a medium-sized city, I would not compare Knoxville’s Queer population to cities much larger than us.

Unlike some cities that tend to have one specific “gayborhood,” the LGBTQ community in Knoxville is sprinkled throughout the city, so there are many neighborhoods that would make wonderful places to call home.  It is always advised to contact a Knoxville gay realtor who knows and loves the community, and who can help you find the perfect home in the ideal neighborhood.

Please come by and get food.

 

 

Support Knox Pride

Whether is $1 or $1,000 a month, it all adds up. 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 gay

    People from all over the world come to the Tennessee Valley to work for ORNL because of its prestige, and a majority of them choose to live and spend their free time in Knoxville because of the welcoming atmosphere we provide to them. This locally owned LGBTQ bar offers great music, friendly crowds, live shows, and strong drinks.

    Tern Club

    Tern Club is a very unique Knoxville nightspot known as being a neighborhood oasis for tropical cocktails.

    Having the flagship state university in Knoxville helps keep the city young and helps add excitement and creativity to our local art and culture scene. So basically, if worrying about who will watch Fido while you are on your next vacation is a reoccurring issue, then head on over to Knoxville and bring them along to enjoy the trip as well.


    Justin Foster riding on top of a Jeep with the rest of The Edge Knox crew in the 2018 Knox Pride Parade courtesy of Steve Soaringoak

    Gay Nightlife: One side effect of Knoxville having a welcoming environment towards LGBTQ people is that we have a smaller number of Queer Bars than we used to a few decades ago.

    Today, this beautiful space is home to the Sunsphere and the Tennessee Amphitheater, which are two structures that were present at the original fair. Some of the standout rides include:

    • Lightning Rod: A record-breaking wooden roller coaster that launches riders up a steep hill at 45 mph.
    • Wild Eagle: A wing coaster that gives riders the sensation of flying as they soar above the park.
    • Mystery Mine: A steel coaster that takes riders through dark tunnels and sharp turns.
    • Tennessee Tornado: A high-speed roller coaster with loops and dramatic drops.

    Hotels near Dollywood

    See our full list of Dollywood hotels right here, including hotels co-owned by Dolly Parton herself.

    Does Dolly Parton own Dollywood and make money from it?

    Dolly Parton is a co-owner of Dollywood, but she does not solely own the park.

    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. Contact a Knoxville gay realtor today for a free, no-obligation consultation!

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    Thanks to Columbia University & NASA, I was able to locate and map all the major cities in the US that could have people drive to Knoxville in 8 hours or less.

    It is operated as a partnership between Dolly and Herschend Family Entertainment, a company that manages several theme parks and attractions across the U.S. Dolly Parton’s involvement includes shaping the park's identity, with many attractions and events reflecting her personal story, music, and Appalachian heritage.

    As a co-owner, Dolly Parton does profit from Dollywood’s success, though she has stated that her primary motivation is to create jobs and boost tourism in her home region of East Tennessee.

    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. As it grew, it also became increasingly diverse and today it is a thriving, welcoming, vibrant city where all can find their place and feel at home.

    A Few Fun Facts About Knoxville

    • Knoxville was named after George Washington’s war secretary, Henry Knox.
    • In the early 1900s, Knoxville was a major center of marble distribution, earning the nickname, “Marble City” as a result.
    • Knoxville is the largest city in the world with a silent first letter.

    Read more fun facts about Knoxville here.

    Knoxville’s LGBTQ Community                                         

    Knoxville is a city with a smaller LGBTQ community, but one that is diverse, and supported by various resources, including:

    PFLAG Oak Ridge

    PFLAG Oak Ridge is the Knoxville area’s chapter of the national PFLAG organization.

    It is extremely common to find same-sex couples walking hand in hand on any given day when exploring our downtown. Unlike Nashville’s Pride, Knox Pridefest is free, making it the largest free Pride in the state of Tennessee. The shop is decorated with loving words of support for all people in the world, regardless of religion, ethnicity, or sexual orientation.

    If I decided to drive north from Knoxville then I could be in Detroit, Washington D.C., & St. Louis in 8 hours; and if I decided to drive South from Knoxville I could be in Jacksonville, Tallahassee, and Mobile in those same 8 hours.