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Welcome!
Our Mission
Empower, Connect and Support all East Tennessee lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual (LGBTQ+) people
Community Hero
Kadron (she/her)
Our next hero, Kadron, is a member of law enforcement and is a stellar example of the diversity within our own LGBTQ+ communities. There are many of us who are emergency and public safety responders, we help save lives, uphold laws, and care about the welfare of our communities. We are contributing members of society as civil servants, nurses, doctors, real estate agents, lawyers, firefighters, librarians, politicians, business owners (large and small), members of clergy, teachers, community leaders, contributors, and most importantly, we care about our neighbors.
This is Kadron's story:
I work as a State Trooper for the TN Highway Patrol, before that I worked at a city department. I am also an Advanced EMT and worked on an ambulance for 12 years. I love the outdoors, animals, and music. As someone who constantly deals with the public, I make it my goal to make sure everyone feels safe when I am around, especially the LGBTQ+ community. Being the only out, female, Trooper in the counties that I cover, I work to educate my colleagues on the LGBTQ+ community and advocate for them.
Growing up my Grandmother was my inspiration. She accepted all [people] and would try to help anyone in any way that she could. I remember on several occasions if she heard that someone was in need of something, especially food, we would literally clean out every cabinet and our deep freeze [sic] of stuff she had canned, and take it to them. When my cousin got kicked out of her house for coming out to her parents, my grandmother took her in. I knew at that moment that as long as I had her, I had nothing to be afraid of. Today, my family inspires me. They have shown me that peoples opinions can change and acceptance is possible.
My Grandmother was the first person I came out to when I was 16. I had a girlfriend at school and I wanted to be able to share it with someone. I told my Grandmother and she told me that she loved me no matter what and always would. At that moment I felt safe. When my parents found out, that was a different story. On a daily basis, I began receiving emails or txt messages from my mother that I was going to hell and I was living in sin. I tried to ignore it, but it got unbearable. I eventually started sending her scripture back of her sins and that eventually stopped. After that we did not speak for a long time. Eventually, she slowly began to come around. It took my Father a little longer. He didn’t even come to my wedding. In the past 6 years we have slowly began talking more, just not about who I love.
Kadron's advice for LGBTQ+ community members is, "Be visible in groups. Yes, times have changed, but you have to look at the community and area you are currently in.
Be present in the moment and know what is going on in your local government and state and be willing to advocate. Be aware of your surroundings at all times. Safety is top priority!" Additionally, she suggests that we as entire communities "...please stop living in the past already? I still get complaints because I am a woman in law enforcement. We can’t progress forward unless we learn from the past."
Encouragement from Kadron to all people:
The best way we can support each other is to understand that each person's journey may look different and each person may be in a different place in their emotions, support, and community.
If you know someone in need don’t be afraid to reach out to them and let them know they are not alone!
Register to vote here!
Register to Vote. Your Right To Be A Free Human Being Depends On It.
Vogue your way to the voting booths. Be Active. Be a Participant. Be a Voter. It Counts. Every single time.
Fair Housing Laws Protections for our LGBTQ+ communities
We Are Protected
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) enforces fair housing laws and investigates complaints of housing discrimination. It is illegal to discriminate in the sale or rental of housing, including against individuals seeking a mortgage or housing assistance, or in other housing-related activities. If you believe you may be a victim of housing discrimination because of your race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, or family status, contact HUD to file a complaint or learn about your fair housing rights, click the "Find out more" link to the right.
Persons who identify as LGBTQ and believe they have experienced housing discrimination because of their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity can assert their rights under the Fair Housing Act by filing a complaint with HUD. HUD will accept and investigate all legally sufficient complaints of sex discrimination, including discrimination because of actual or perceived gender identity or sexual orientation, and enforce the Fair Housing Act where it finds such discrimination occurred or is about to occur. In addition, some LGBTQ persons may have claims arising under other provisions of the Act, e.g., race, national origin, color, religion, disability and familial status. HUD’s Equal Access Rule also requires that eligibility determinations for housing assisted by HUD or subject to a mortgage insured by HUD be made regardless of actual or perceived gender identity, sexual orientation, or marital status.
The #FairHousingAct prohibits discrimination in housing, including rentals, sales, mortgage lending, and insurance, because of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability or familial status. Learn more or File a Complaint with HUD at www.hud.gov/fairhousing/fileacomplaint #FairHousing #FHnow
Learn More
Click below to file a complaint and learn more about your housing protections or click the rainbow house above to learn more about LGBTQ+ protections.