History of Knoxville Pride Events
Voices Out Loud is a community archive. We need your help in preserving our history!
Do you have videos, photos, flyers, banners, signs, articles, memories or other artifacts that should be saved in the archive? We would love to talk with you. If you’re not quite ready to part with them yet, we can digitize them and give you the originals or discuss ways to donate in the future.
Also, if you recognize anyone in these videos or photos, we would love help documenting Knoxville’s LGBTQ+ leaders and activists.
Videos
1992
2008
2011
2012
2014
2015
2017
2018
2019
2021
2022
Photographs
1991
Above are photographs by renowned Knoxville artist, Jan Lynch. Jan Lynch shot exclusively in black and white, thus giving these photos a more aged look. The and other photos from Jan are part of the Ed White Collection. See more of his Pride Photos>>
The photographs above are by Brenna Betzold Cottongim. Brenna was given several disposable cameras by the organizers to document the event. These photographs are part of the Ed White Collection. See more of Brenna’s photographs>>
1998
This photograph above are from Knoxville Pride 1998 and were donated by UT alumnus, Rob Power. See more of Rob’s photographs>>
2000
News Articles
Knoxville News-Sentinel (Knoxville, Tennessee), June 30, 1977: 2.
Knoxville News-Sentinel (Knoxville, Tennessee), July 3, 1977: 10.
“KNOX LESBIAN/GAY PRIDE WEEK PLANNED.” Knoxville News-Sentinel, The (TN), May 23, 1991: A3.
“SOUTHERN BAPTISTS REACT TO PARADE.” Knoxville News-Sentinel, The (TN), June 13, 1991: A3.
“MAYOR HAS SCHEDULE CONFLICT.” Knoxville News-Sentinel, The (TN), June 13, 1991: A3.
“AIDS: THE NEW VICTIMS EPIDEMIC HITS MINORITIES, WOMEN AND HETEROSEXUALS.” Knoxville News-Sentinel, The (TN), June 17, 1991: B1.
“TODAY MARKS BEGINNING OF GAY PRIDE WEEK.” Knoxville News-Sentinel, The (TN), June 23, 1991: B6.
“MARCH ON FOR GAY, LESBIAN PRIDE DESPITE DENOUNCEMENTS IN AREA.” Knoxville News-Sentinel, The (TN), June 26, 1991: A3.
“POLICE OFFICERS TO BE ON HAND DURING LESBIAN/GAY PRIDE PARADE.” Knoxville News-Sentinel, The (TN), June 29, 1991: A3.
“GAYS MARCH FOR EQUAL RIGHTS.” Knoxville News-Sentinel, The (TN), June 30, 1991: B4.
“DELEGATION SET TO CONFRONT MAYOR ASHE OVER HIS DECISION ON GAY PRIDE DAY.” Knoxville News-Sentinel, The (TN), July 2, 1991: A3.
“DOZEN GAY RIGHTERS CRITICIZE MAYOR.” Knoxville News-Sentinel, The (TN), July 3, 1991: A3.
Knoxville Pride, Inc. Pride Week 1992, News from the frontlines, AWARE, June 1992
“CELEBRATION OF GAY PRIDE STARTS SUNDAY.” Knoxville News-Sentinel, The (TN), June 18, 1992: A6.
“KNOX GAYS, LESBIANS SHOW ‘TRUE COLORS’.” Knoxville News-Sentinel, The (TN), June 28, 1992: B6. N
“‘FAMILY’ THEME TOUTS ACCEPTANCE IN LESBIAN, GAY PRIDE ACTIVITIES.” Knoxville News-Sentinel, The (TN), June 20, 1993: B6.
“POLICE CALL SKINHEAD ATTACK AT BAR ‘ISOLATED’ CALM EXPECTED AT GAY PRIDE PARADE.” Knoxville News-Sentinel, The (TN), June 26, 1993: A1.
“GAY, LESBIAN PARADE PROCEEDS WITHOUT INCIDENT.” Knoxville News-Sentinel, The (TN), June 27, 1993: B6.
“GAYS WILL REMEMBER STONEWALL RIOT 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF TURNING POINT TO MARK PRIDE WEEK.” Knoxville News-Sentinel, The (TN), May 9, 1994: A4.
“PRIDE WEEK ACTIVITIES TO BEGIN NEXT SUNDAY.” Knoxville News-Sentinel, The (TN), May 29, 1994: 9.
“It’s about time” march displays acceptance of homosexual rights. Daily Beacon, June 14, 1994
Queer politics must mature, then celebrate. Daily Beacon, July 1, 1994
“GAY PRIDE WEEK STORIES IGNORED.” Knoxville News-Sentinel, The (TN), July 7, 1995: A11.
MASON, DOUG. “`T CELLS AND SYMPATHY’ SET.” Knoxville News-Sentinel, The (TN), July 5, 1996: T8.
GAY PRIDE.” Knoxville News-Sentinel, The (TN), June 8, 1997: A2.
“Pride takes to Gay Street.” The Knoxville News-Sentinel, June 13, 1999: B1.
Knoxville’s gays and lesbians seek acceptance—and a sense of unity—in a climate of ambivalence. Metro Pulse, 1999
“Pride Celebration commemorates decade.” The Knoxville News-Sentinel, June 1, 2001: 2.
Knoxville Pride celebrates its 10th anniversary with a week of gay pride activities. Metro Pulse, 2001
Events announced for East Tennessee Pride, Out & About, May 1, 2005
New organization hopes to revive gay pride in Knoxville, Out & About, May 1, 2005
“Sexual minorities focus on equal rights for month of June.” Knoxville News-Sentinel, The (TN), June 19, 2005: B10.
20th annual Pride Picnic held at MCC-Knoxville, Out & About, July 1, 2005
Knox area Pride events grow as GLBT community matures, Out & About, August 1, 2005
Knoxville PrideFest on the Square 2006 slated for June 10, Out & About, June 1, 2006
PrideFest on the square 2006, Out & About, July 6, 2006
“Knoxville Pridefest 2009.” Knoxville News Sentinel: Blogs (TN), June 24, 2009.
“GOOD MORNING, EAST TENNESSEE.” Knoxville News Sentinel (TN), July 2, 2010: 2.
Somewhere Over the Rainbow. Inside of Knoxville, June 28, 2010
Knoville PrideFest draws 3,500 attendees, JOut & About, June 28, 2010
East Tennessee Equality Council formed in Knoxville, Out & About, August 1, 2010
“There are more facets to Tiffany than fans expected.” Knoxville News Sentinel (TN), June 24, 2011: PV05.
“PrideFest 2012.” Knoxville News Sentinel (TN), June 22, 2012: K04.
Knoxville PrideFest 2012: Maybe we really are number 8!. Inside of Knoxville, June 25, 2012
“PrideFest parade enlivens downtown Knoxville.” Knoxville News Sentinel (TN), June 22, 2013.
“Rogero joins LGBT throngs in largest-ever Pride parade.” Knoxville News Sentinel (TN), June 24, 2012: B08.
Get ready for Knoxville PrideFest, Out & About, June 8, 2013
Knoville PrideFest artist spotlight: God DEs and She, Out & About, June 12, 2013
“Greg Johnson: Saying the same thing, but differently.” Knoxville News Sentinel (TN), December 27, 2013.
Knoxville Pridefest 2015 spreads the love, Out & About, June 6, 2015
“Downtown events bring road closures.” Knoxville News Sentinel: Web Edition Articles (TN), June 19, 2015.
Pridefest 2015: Jubilant and Poignant. Knoxville, June 22, 2015
Hundreds lined the street for the annual PrideFest Parade in Knoxville. WATE, June 20, 2015
“KPD chief plans to enhance security for Pridefest parade.” Knoxville News Sentinel (TN), June 14, 2016: 1A.
Knoxville’s PrideFest carries on despite Orlando shooting. WATE, June 15, 2016
“Downtown Randall Brown: Pride in the southland.” Knoxville News Sentinel: Web Edition Articles (TN), June 15, 2016: 7.
“A Saturday of festivals – If you’re bored, look no further – Wings, beer, boats, parades all on tap in Knoxville area.” Knoxville News Sentinel (TN), June 16, 2017: A7.
“PrideFest chance to mourn deaths and celebrate life.” Knoxville News Sentinel (TN), June 17, 2016: 2B.
Knoxville PrideFest 2016 Remembers Orlando, Celebrates a Better Future. Inside of Knoxville, June 20, 2016
“Rainbow of color comes to Gay St..” Knoxville News Sentinel (TN), June 18, 2017: A12.
Choir confronts protesters with song at Knoxville PrideFest. WATE, June 18, 2017
Knox Pridefest shows its colors. Daily Beacon, July 3, 2017 (Photos)
“White supremacists plan protest in Knoxville, summit in Smokies – Group to rally at monument.” Knoxville News Sentinel (TN), August 21, 2017: A11.
“White nationalists to protest Knoxville Pridefest.” Knoxville News Sentinel: Web Edition Articles (TN), June 13, 2018.
Knox Pride Month: An Introduction and History Lesson. Inside of Knoxville, June 1, 2018
Pride month: Past & Present Knoxville LGBT Gathering Places. Inside of Knoxville, June 8, 2018
Pride Month: Knoxville’s History with LGBT Hate Crimes. Inside of Knoxville, June 15, 2018
Pride Month: Sharing Art and Culture. Inside of Knoxville, June 22, 2018
Knoxville Pride Parade 2018: Rainbows and Good Will to All. Inside of Knoxville, June 25, 2018
Knoxville Pride Fest predicted to be largest in event history. WATE, June 22, 2018
Pridefest parade, festival brings thousands to downtown Knoxville. WATE, June 23, 2018
“Knoxville Pridefest 2018: 10 things to know before you go.” Knoxville News Sentinel: Web Edition Articles (TN), June 20, 2018.
“Pre-Pride Parade Party is tonight at Sapphire.” Knoxville News Sentinel (TN), June 22, 2018: K18.
13th Knoxville PrideFest attracts large crowds. WBIR, June 23, 2018 (video)
Pride Month: Knoxville Proud. Inside of Knoxville, June 29, 2018
Rainbows, glitter decorate Knoxville for Pridefest, protesters respond. Daily Beacon, August 9, 2018
“Pride Month: Everything you need to know about LGBTQ events in Knoxville.” Knoxville News Sentinel: Web Edition Articles (TN), June 7, 2019.
With Pride Month Comes Reminders of Its Importance. Inside of Knoxville, June 14. 2019
With Pride Month Comes Reminders of Its Importance. Inside of Knoxville, June 14. 2019
50 years after Stonewall, LGBT rights are a work in progress. WBIR, June 17, 2019
“Timeline: Detective’s sermon and public reactions.” Knoxville News Sentinel (TN), June 19, 2019: A4.
“Knox Pride tells police to remove parade participants who engage with harassers.” Knoxville News Sentinel: Web Edition Articles (TN), June 19, 2019.
“After outrage over parade guidelines, Knox Pride leaders clarify police role.” Knoxville News Sentinel: Web Edition Articles (TN), June 19, 2019.
Knoxville News Sentinel (TN) (Knoxville, Tennessee), June 19, 2019: 4.
“Knox Pride parade coordinator resigns following public outrage days before event.” Knoxville News Sentinel: Web Edition Articles (TN), June 20, 2019.
“Here’s what’s going on in Knoxville for Pride Month.” Knoxville News Sentinel (TN), June 21, 2019: K4.
“Knox Pride must balance setbacks, successes, celebrations and safety for parade.” Knoxville News Sentinel: Web Edition Articles (TN), June 21, 2019.
Knox Pride organizers share safety measures, self-expression guidelines ahead of parade. WATE, June 20, 2019.
Big crowds expected at 2019 Knox Pridefest; organizers share safety, severe weather plans. WATE, June 21, 2019
Knoxville News Sentinel (TN) (Knoxville, Tennessee), June 21, 2019: 36.
Knoxville News Sentinel (TN) (Knoxville, Tennessee), June 21, 2019: 1.
Knox Pride celebrates community with parade, festival. Daily Beacon, June 22, 2019 (Photo)
Rainbow Colors in Every Direction Under Gray Skies. Inside of Knoxville, June 24, 2019
Need to Know: Knox Pride Parade and Festival to be held June 22. WBIR, June 20, 2019 (video)
“37 years later, it’s a pridefest reunion – This year’s parade drew an estimated 6,000 people in Knoxville.” Knoxville News Sentinel (TN), June 23, 2019: A10.
Opinion: A more robust “Tale of queer Appalachia”. Out & About, September 5, 2020
Happy Pride Month! | Knoxville Pride events go digital with yoga, bingo, poems and comedy. WBIR, June 2, 2021 (video)
Resources for East Tennessee’s LGBTQ+ community. WBIR, June 22, 2021 (video)
Picnickers gather in Krutch Park for Stonewall Riots celebration. WBIR, June 22, 2021 (video)
Some Knox County churches celebrate Pride Month, saying all are welcome. WBIR, June 24, 2021 (video)
10About Town: Events happening during Pride Month. WBIR, May 22, 2022 (video)
Pride Month events, resources in East Tennessee. WATE, June 1, 2022
Pride Month begins June 1. WATE, June 1, 2022
A look at the past, present, and future of Pride Month in Knoxville. WATE, June 1, 2022
