Advocacy for LGBTQ+ Rights

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  The Rising Flame Candles – where the warm glow of our candles meets the warmth of our commitment to sustainability and customer satisfaction. Join us in illuminating your space and the world with beauty, style, and a conscience. 

 We are a company made up of a diverse set of people with a diverse set of beliefs, and we celebrate that.

 We are a company founded on our purpose statement, “deepening relationships over some of the best beer in the country.” This means tearing down walls between people (through beer, in our case), not building up walls. 

 We believe in loving people for who they are. 

America was founded as a country of immigrants, and part of what makes this country so great is the belief that all people, regardless, of color, creed, gender, wealth, or sexual identity, should have the same rights and be treated as equals. We also believe that we as a country have a long way to go, but that diversity is worth fighting for. 

 “WHERE FAITH AND LIFE CONNECT” 

We seek to follow Jesus Christ in an open and inclusive community of faith where God’s transforming love for all creation is celebrated through worship, discipleship and service.

Westminster continues to be a place where people can ask questions and explore together, a place where genuine intergenerational relationships are fostered, a place that values integrity in worship, music and education, and a place that seeks to live out the implications of what it means to be a gathered community of disciples of Jesus Christ in the 21st century.

Long-Term Planning

for Every Family

Whether you’re considering long-term care, Medicaid

planning, estate planning, or planning for a loved one with

a disability, we are dedicated to protecting your rights and

advocating for your well-being. We provide comprehensive,

individualized services with honesty, respect, and compassion.

 Dual Citizen is a community-focused brewhouse born from a few simple beliefs. An understanding that substance beats trends. A recognition that community roots run the deepest. The understanding that what unites us is far greater than what divides us. We just celebrated our 5th Anniversary, won a World Beer cup gold medal (22′) and our brand new 5,000 bbl production facility is fully operational. 

Dual Purpose provides space and resources to local community members and organizations to establish long-term partnership with Dual Citizen Brewing Co. 

 
Trans Safe Spaces is a network of Facebook page admins, primarily from the trans rights and feminist communities. We work together to encourage other FB page admins on Facebook to help us build a safer online community for trans* individuals! We are building a network of sites and pages that will take steps against transphobia. This is a process with an end goal of creating a united front against cissexism, transphobia, and hateful, marginalizing rhetoric, while keeping a healthy environment for trans* individuals to interact with an online community without fear of harassment. 

Starbucks' commitment to the LGBTQ+ community goes far beyond flying a rainbow flag at their Starbucks Support Center. For years, they’ve offered benefits to partners in same-sex relationships, and their Workplace Gender Transition Guidelines support partners who are transgender or considering transitioning. The Human Rights Campaign Foundation recognized them as a top employer for LGBTQ+ workplace equality. 

Their dedication to the cause also extends outside of the workplace. In 2012, they endorsed same-sex marriage equality in their home state of Washington. 

Starbucks also continues to be a supporter and donor of Appalachian OUTreach.

 A Dopo is a dinner only, wood-fired pizzeria in downtown Knoxville, TN that specializes in sourdough, Neapolitan pizzas, small-batch gelato, Italian wine and local beer.  Reservations are strongly recommended. In addition to our dine-in menu, we also offer larger format, “NY” style pizzas available via online ordering or over the phone.  

A Dopo is an LGBTQ+ safe, affirming and friendly restaurant and employer.

 
Given the Castro district's pivotal role in queer history we specialize in LGBTQ+ books, but science & nature writing, ethnic studies, witchcraft, poetry, progressive politics, history, cookbooks, sci-fi, and all types of literature are also well represented. And if you can't find what you're looking for, we'll  order it!

In response to the nationwide wave of book banning by reactionary bigots, we've launched BOOKS NOT BANS, a program allowing customers to buy books for us to send to LGBTQ+ organizations in conservative areas.  

The Bottom stands as a space for building community, celebrating culture, & engaging the creativity of Black people through curated events, ongoing projects, shared resources and physical space. 

  Bryant's Bridge is a "safe, supportive and empowering home for the local Knoxville LGBTQ+ community in need of housing." This non-profit LGBTQ+ organization is making positive changes for our communities.  

   LGBTQ+ operated organization. Learn about the folks who are taking on the folks who make decisions about LGBTQ+ rights in Tennessee

 This fantastic organization is growing, expanding, and has a welcoming, safe space in Knoxville. Knox Pride has a long history of being there for us, giving us inspiration for being visible, and giving all of us hope for our futures!

 A social justice-minded law firm that is LGBTQ+ safe and affirming. Our goal at Held Law Firm is to be your trusted advisor, and the one you call for help. We represent clients in the most defining moments of their personal lives through divorce, child custody, orders of protection, or when they need an advocate to stand and support their cause. 

  LGBTQ+ owned and local resource that is aimed at furthering the empowerment & progression of the transgender community

Lost In Sensation Therapeutic Yoga is owned by Valery, who is an ERYT-500 and YACEP- Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Provider. Valery offers group events, workshops, retreats and private sessions. Her Intuitive Healing sessions incorporate Chakra Yoga, Reiki and bio-energetic grounding exercises to release and purge emotions, tension and trauma stored in the body.  

  The TTF is a work group comprised of transgender and gender-variant individuals representing each of the five HIV Prevention regions of Tennessee. 

  LGBTQ+ operated & local organization that is a welcoming, affirming, & inclusive congregation

  Meeting Information
Zoom Meetings - Tuesdays @ 7:30 pmMeeting link: https://zoom.us/j/2089387448 Password 697167
*Meetings are online during Covid-19 Pandemic  

   United Way of Blount County is advancing the common good by creating opportunities for a better life for all.  Our goal is to create lasting changes in our community by addressing the root causes of Blount County’s problems. Together, we can accomplish more than any single group can on its own. 

    The Community Food Connection of Blount County is a nonprofit, volunteer organization dedicated to reducing food insecurity for citizens in Blount County and helping individuals and families improve their quality of life. 

    LGBTQ+ Safe & Affirming Learning Environment. Our students are inspired to grow in responsibility, tolerance, compassion, patience, organization, and motivation. Children at Little River Montessori learn in an environment that supports the individual child’s social, emotional, intellectual, and moral development.  

Shannondale fosters a vibrant community with compassionate staff dedicated to enriching lives. Our mission is to ensure privacy, security, and a high quality of life—creating a welcoming, safe, and supportive environment for all residents.

Papa John's champions diversity, equity, and inclusion, building a culture where everyone can thrive. Join us in fostering a supportive and inclusive community.

Expand your healthcare career with Pride Health's travel opportunities across cities and regions.

An LGBTQ+ friendly space for outdoor lovers—experience inclusive shopping and exciting outdoor gear deals.

Kroger is committed to LGBTQ+ inclusion, recognized as a top employer for equality. Celebrate diversity with us.

 LGBTQ+ Affirming Employer, Offers health insurance coverage for gender affirming surgeries  

Transforming care for Appalachian pets through compassionate training and community support.

Experience handcrafted baked goods made with love, supporting our Appalachian community.

Celebrating diversity and inclusion within our local community. Join us in pride and support.

We are more than just a cafe.

We are people focused & cat obsessed. We want to help cats find loving homes & bring joy to all people. Community togetherness is our first mission with mental health being our second. If you have struggles, you can shed them here. Please talk to our staff and use the phrase "feeling blue" if you need us. 

The Eagle bar originally was a longshoreman’s pub called the Eagle Open Kitchen at 142 11th Avenue at 21st Street from 1931 to 1970. In 1969 the stonewall riots in Greenwich Village produced a new found pride in being gay and the closet doors were slowly opening. In 1970, the Eagle Open Kitchen was acquired by Jack Modica who turned the pub into a leather/ levi bar. With a few coats of black paint and an old beat up motorcycle for decoration, an institution was born. The Eagle remains a thriving queer space and a large donor to Appalachian OUTreach.

This is a helpful resource for learning about the what, why, hows of pronoun usage and additional resources. 

The QSAW network was founded in August 2019 by Sonali (Alyy) Patel, a gay gender-fluid Indo-African Gujarati in the Canadian diaspora, with a desire to challenge the invisibility of Queer South Asian Women in Western LGBTQ+ communities. 

  GenderCool is a youth-led movement replacing misinformed opinions with positive, powerful experiences meeting remarkable kids who identify as transgender and non-binary. 

 OutCare is the nation’s first comprehensive resource for LGBTQ+ healthcare offering provider and healthcare resource directories, mentorship, medical education reform, and cultural competency training. 

 Free Mom Hugs is a group of affirming parents and allies who love the LGBTQ+ community unconditionally. We are dedicated to educating families, church, and civic leaders encouraging them to not only affirm the LGBTQ+ community but to celebrate them.

 Provides a safe, fun, and enriching experience to the sober LGBTQ community. Our primary purpose is to encourage unity and enhance one’s sobriety.  

GaL-AA serves the LGBT+ members of Alcoholics Anonymous. Our sole purpose for existing is to provide our experience, strength and hope to any arm of A.A. when called upon to do so, to work in the spirit of Unity and Service with A.A. as a whole.

A safe space supporting Black women's journey to healing and sobriety.

Dedicated to providing equal access to recovery resources for all, fostering hope and resilience.

Providing compassionate mental health support tailored to our Appalachian community.

Addressing the systemic barriers faced by BIPOC families in addiction and mental health care.