Our Story

First known as the East Tennessee Equality Council (Inc.) founded in 2006, we have grown beyond an annual celebration. The Knox Pride Center has allowed us to expand our mission as educators, communicators, and representatives of our community through our community and outreach and events we facilitate.

Our Knox Pride Center is place for people to find a home base in the Knoxville LGBTQIA + community and beyond. We have resources, referrals, and services. Plus, we host events, and meetings, and allow other groups to come to use our space as a gathering center for their cause. Since opening our doors in October 2021, the space is here for people to learn more about our queer community, participate in a variety of gender-affirming care and life skill support, utilize our food pantry, or shop at our Thriftique.

But we still celebrate Pride every year, too! Knox Pride Fest is an open celebration of music, entertainment and speakers focused on promoting equality and inclusion for all. Throughout the weekend, vendors will have the opportunity to display information about their organization and/or business, sell or hand out items of interest and interact with our community to promote inclusion and equality for the LGBTQIA+ and allies of Knoxville and surrounding areas. We also host a variety of other events throughout the year, so make sure to keep up to date with our calendar on our website’s home page.

Learn more about our wonderful team.