In Nashville’s diverse and active LGBT community, there is such a diverse and powerful slate of community organizations and representatives reminding us how much we have to be proud of, and how much we have the opportunity to do.
Non-Profit—Nashville CARES
Nashville CARES has recently upgraded its mission to ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Middle Tennessee. It’s team of professionals and dedicated volunteers bring us daily closer to achieving that goal!
Visit Nashville CARES' website or Facebook page for more information on their work!
Cares CEO Joseph Interrante (left)
Social Group—Nashville LGBT Chamber
The Chamber’s new CEO, Joe Woolley (featured on this month’s cover) will definitely remind you that the Chamber is MORE than just a social group, offering education and services throughout the year to its members. But when it comes to business, the social element can’t be discounted, and with events like TASTE, the Chamber sets the social bar very high.
Nashville LGBT Chamber CEO Joe Woolley
Visit the Nashville LGBT Chamber's website or Facebook page for more information
Community Event—Nashville Pride
Every year, this volunteer driven organization doubles down on its commitment to showing the rest of Nashville how much Pride the LGBT community has in this city. Great job, everyone!
For more information, visit their website or Facebook page!
LGBT Sports – HotMess League
HotMess Kickball League, which was featured on the cover of O&AN in July 2014, has hundreds of members, making it one of the largest of LGBT Nashville’s social groups, and definitely our largest local LGBT sporting league.
For more information, visit their website or Facebook page!
Local Politician—Megan Barry
For the third year in a row, our readers chose Megan Barry, proving again that our community loves Megan and that our affections aren’t fickle. Some segments of Nashville may have turned their back on her, but not our readers!
Musician—Shelly Fairchild
A staple in the Nashville music community, Fairchild hit the scene to much acclaim with her debut album Ride. She has toured with some of the biggest names including Rascal Flatts, Keith Urban and Tim McGraw, and our readers love her!
For more information, visit their website or Facebook page!
Actor—Bradley Moore
This year’s favorite artist/actor is Bradley Moore, who is very well known in Nashville theatre. His credits include Sister Act, August: Osage County (director), Unidentified Human Remains & The True Nature of Love, and so many other wonderful productions in Nashville.
Bradley Moore, courtesy of Facebook
Outstanding Citizen—Jonda Valentine
One of the proprietors of The Lipstick Lounge, Jonda Valentine got her start in the music industry, but in LGBT Nashville, she’s known for her fabulous bar, her generous spirit for the community, and her kindness to her employees. Jonda is truly one of our community’s outstanding citizens!
Jonda Valentine, with Christa Suppan, courtesy of Facebook
LGBT-Owned Business—Peckers
It’s not just our newest gay bar—this year it’s also our favorite LGBT-owned business! In Nashville, it seems, our readers sure do love Peckers!
For more information, visit their website or Facebook page!
New LGBT-Owned Business—Peace Love & Paws
We love our pets, so we want the best of the best to care for them, and this year our readers chose their favorite caregivers, the folks at Peace Love & Paws, as their fave new LGBT-owned business.
Happy Customers at Peace Love & Paws
For more information, visit their website or Facebook page!
Check out all of our Nightlife, Dining, Look Good/Feel Good, Professional Services, Community, Places, & Wedding Services FAVES & RAVES 2018 winners!