July 30th, 2022
The purpose of Blount Pride is to uplift and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community of Blount County. We do this through public events that make our lives and our stories visible and through building connections across the diversity of our experiences.
Parking
Please note, the only entrance to the park is located next to the accessible parking lot by Greenbelt Pavilion.
Event Map
Stuff you need to know:
Blount Pride Event Schedule
Performer Spotlights can be found after the schedule.
When |
What's Happening |
Where |
7/29 at 7pm |
Pride Pre-Game - Join us for dancing, karaoke and grab your Blount Pride merch for the big day! |
|
All times below on 7/30, 3pm |
Event Opens to the Public |
|
3pm |
Community Resource Fair Opens |
Community Resource Fair Tent |
3pm |
Kid Activities Open |
Youth Tents |
3pm |
Stop by and make encouragement cards for the GSA Clubs at local high schools! |
Teen Tent |
3pm |
Community Art and Fun Stuff! |
Greenbelt Pavilion |
4pm |
Drag/Rainbow Storytime for Kids |
Amphitheater |
4:20pm |
A word from Laura Bogle about Blount Pride |
Amphitheater |
4:30pm |
Amphitheater |
|
5pm |
Speed Meet Your Neighbor Activity |
Greenbelt Pavilion |
5pm |
Amphitheater |
|
5pm |
Teen Activity - Shadows of Ourselves: Imitating the Art of J.R. Mounts |
Teen Tent |
5:30pm |
Drag Review hosted by Tyra Von Shade |
Amphitheater |
6pm |
Amphitheater |
|
6pm |
Teen Activity - Intro to Queer History |
Teen Tent |
6:30pm |
Amphitheater |
|
7pm |
Community Resource Fair Closes |
Community Resource Fair Tent |
7pm |
Amphitheater |
|
8pm |
Event Closes to the Public |
Performer Spotlights
Bio coming soon!
Jaq is a Master’s student studying Urban Food Forestry at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. They’ve lived as far west as Portland, OR, as far north as Traverse City, MI, as far south as Plano, TX, and as far east as Burghausen, Germany (with many homes and loved ones in between). Jaq is also the Student Director of the Tennessee Champion Tree Program, where they help measure and record the largest specimen of each tree species in the state. Besides all that cool tree stuff, they are a Knoxville songwriter/musician and are joyfully and vibrantly queer!
Photographed by: Taryn Ferro @awsnapshots
Nayeema is a 22 year old singer-songwriter from Knoxville, Tennessee(they/them). They started their music journey by writing songs to help understand their emotions so an outlet to cope. Nayeema is self taught musician, teaching themself how to play the guitar at age 13, next the piano, and with the help of Knoxville Girls Rock camp and Girls Rock Camp Alliance, they learned how to play the bass, drums, and learned musical production. Nayeema’s music journey has been one of self exploration and expression rather than impression and acclaim. To show that there is a space  in music for you to share your story regardless what that story is. Nayeema now does work with Knoxville’s Girls Rock camp as a board member and an organizer as well as Girls Rock Camp Alliance as a board member and part of the identity group council!
Adeem the Artist (they/them/theirs) is a seventh-generation Carolinian, a makeshift poet, singer-songwriter, storyteller, and blue-collar Artist. They began toiling at their instrument in 2002 when their family relocated to Syracuse, NY and used songwriting as a vehicle to process the ensuing culture shock, their faith, and later their journey through apostasy.
Blending a homegrown affection for Country Music with the emotional ballyhoo of alternative folk in the early aughts, they have created a unique brand of Americana that pays homage to John Prine and John Darnielle (of The Mountain Goats) in equal parts.
On Cast-Iron Pansexual, they received praise from Rolling Stone & American Songwriter for their work exploring identity across coalescing subcultures. Traveling to Carolina to get their Tarot read while straddling the duality of being a "blue collar boy" who is a "complicated dame," Adeem excavates unwonted stories of the forgotten south.
After touring with American Aquarium and opening for acts like Will Hoge, Emily Wolfe, & Jaime Wyatt, they launched the "Redneck Fundraiser," to finance their new album. In a matter of a few weeks, they raised over $15,000 to work with an all-star cast of musicians on their upcoming record for a release in late 2022.
Community Resource Fair Participants
One of our main goals of this event is to help create connections in our community for LGBT+ folks. Learn more about these folks' good work and get connected.
Supporters
Epic Nine Marketing Outfitters
ABBA Handyman Services - Jake Reynolds
Izze Sykes
Lisa Misosky
Charmaine Nichols, Attorney at Law
Doug & Kris Brenneise
Katy Chiles
Danielle Lincoln
Ben Nicholas
The Lippert Family
Sue DuBois
Dixie
Sherry Shurden Brewer
Abigail D. Blankner
Blount County Democratic Party
If you supported Blount Pride 2022, and don't see your name here we didn't forget you! We are confirming that you want to be listed in the program. Please reach out to us via Facebook with questions.
Blount Pride Steering Committee
Anita Blatnik
Ari Baker
Kevin Rakestraw
Bryana Ezell
Gibran Cuevas
Jennifer Spirko
Rob Spirko
Rhonda Radford
Shannon Bryant
Bryan Baker
Blount Pride Volunteers 2022
Chery Kendrick
Erica Reynolds and Jasmine Reynolds
Accenture LGBT ERG
Nicole Samu
Kathie Shiba
Lelia Fain
Jenn Hardy
Jake Reynolds
Sabrina Gatlin
Marge Meredith
Carmina de Guia-Jones
Marcus Jones
Bethany Cheatham
Sarah Cruze
Donate
It takes a lot of resources to hold a large public event and we would love your support!
You can make a tax deductible donation to Blount Pride through our amazing fiscal sponsor Appalachian Community Fund at this link.
Please be sure to select Blount Pride in the drop down designation as pictured below: