Nashville Pride has officially announced its 2016 festival dates for the annual celebration of LGBT equality and culture.

This year’s festival is slated to take place a Public Square Park in Downtown Nashville for a third year, continuing with a two-day festival. The festival will take place at the steps of Metro Government on June 24 - 25, 2016.

Incoming Nashville Pride President Joey Leslie stated that, “Upon the success of Pride Month in June 2015, with more than 15 Pride-sponsored events, it made sense to keep our annual celebration at the end of the month to give Nashville a truly unique and special month-long celebration of equality.”

The board has been focused on differentiating itself from other major June events including CMA Music Fest, Bonarroo and Father’s Day weekend to give those who want to celebrate LGBT culture a full month to do so, culminating with an award-winning festival.

In late 2015, new members of the Nashville Pride Board of Directors were elected and took their positions. This year the Executive Board will be lead by newly elected President Joey Leslie, who previously served as President-Elect and PR/Marketing Director. Phil Cobucci, who was previously appointed to the PR/Marketing Director position, will take on the role of President-Elect, and will serve as President in 2017. Matia Powell, a coordinator for Alignment Nashville who previously served as Secretary will assume the role of PR/Marketing Director. 

Matthew Gann, a web manager for the Tennessee Board of Regents will continue in the role of Treasurer, while the role of Secretary will be assumed by Ryan Ellis who works with the Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability.

Rollover terms were also executed for Senator Jeff Yarbro, also of Nashville Law Firm, Bass, Berry & Sims; Jenn Cowherd from the Office of the Tennessee Secretary of State; Chris Hawk, a Business Development Associate with Lyft; Kerrie Turney of Vanderbilt University, and; Milton White, a local fashion consultant.

Jack Davis of JD Festivals and Events will continue to manage day-to-day aspects of the festival planning and will support the organization with expertise in festival and event operations.

Nashville Pride also proudly announces the election of a strong suite of community leaders from different Middle Tennessee businesses and non-profit organizations. Hal Cato, CEO of Thistle Farms; Scott Glasgow of Vanderbilt University; Pam Kelner, Executive Director of Jewish Family Service; Chris Purcell, Director of LGBTQI Life at Vanderbilt University; Eric Brown of the Eric Brown Venture, LLC.; Shaun Arroyo, President of the Tennessee Vals (a local Transgender support group), and; Paula Foster, a professional social worker, will all join the Nashville Pride Board of Directors in 2016 for two year terms.

Nashville Pride is already heavily involved in the planning of the 2016 Nashville Pride Festival and Concert and will be announcing exciting details in the near future. Sponsorship and Booth applications are available on the organization website. Nashville Pride Board Meetings are open to the public and the organization strongly encourages community involvement and participation in board meetings. All of these details can be found at nashvillepride.org.